NEWS

Ideas that shaped the world ...

26th June 2007

Ideas that shaped the world is a richly illustrated book accompanying the recently opened John Murray Archive Exhibition at the National Library of Scotland (NLS), Edinburgh.

Written by the curatorial and cataloguing team at the NLS the book offers the reader a fascinating insight into the political, social and intellectual life of the period through correspondence between authors such as Lord Byron, Sir Walter Scott, David Livingstone, Jane Austen and Charles Darwin and the famous publisher, John Murray, spanning seven generations and four centuries.

“The John Murray Archive is a uniquely rich collection, bringing together travellers who were poets, politicians, scientists, missionaries, archaeologists and adventurers, who all share the gift of being able to write,” said: Michael Palin, broadcaster and modern-day traveller.

The London publishing house founded in 1768 by Edinburgh-born John Murray was to become arguably Britain’s most influential publisher. Murray authors shaped the modern world through their pioneering work in literature, science, travel and exploration, and politics and society: Austen, Byron, Darwin, Disraeli, Faraday, Livingstone, and Scott are just a few of the iconic figures whose work appeared under the Murray imprint.

Byron was of the opinion that his book was too small a format to sell (he was wrong), Jane Austen tartly requested a better turn of speed from the printer, while Darwin patiently answered the critics of his theories. Meanwhile Murray’s Travel Guides opened up the world to restlessly curious 19th century travellers – and prompted the ‘flagitious pirate’ Fritz Baedeker to publish inferior imitations under his own name.

Copies of the book are available direct from the NLS or online from Third Millennium Publishing.

ENDS-

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Imprint: Third Millennium Publishing, London

Editor: David McClay

Publication date: 26th June 2007 / RRP: £6.50 / ISBN: 9781872116303

Specification: Paperback, 56 pages, 225 x 190 mm, over 75 colour and b/w illustrations

The Publisher:Third Millennium Publishing specialises in publishing and design for the art and heritage markets and is currently working on a number of book projects with leading schools, Oxbridge colleges, universities (including a celebratory volume on the 800th anniversary of Cambridge University), cathedrals, regiments, and museums and galleries in the UK and USA.

For further information contact Michael D Jackson, Marketing Manager, Third Millennium Information Ltd, 2-5 Benjamin St, EC1M 5QL. Tel: +44 (0)207 336 0144. Email: mj@tmiltd.com. Website: www.tmiltd.com