Daniel Appleton (1785-1849)

Biography
Daniel Appleton' a noteworthy American publisher, founder of the New York Publishing firm D. Appleton & Co. He was a member of the Appleton Family of Boston Brahmin statue.

He was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts. After a few years of schooling, he started a general store in Haverill. Later, he moved to Boston (business office at 21 Broad Street) where he sold dry-goods imported from England.[1] Finally, in 1825, he moved to New York where he gradually combined the importing of books with the dry-goods trade. The book department was placed in charge of William Henry Appleton, his eldest son. This was in Exchange Place.

Later, he moved to Clinton Hall, Beekman Street, and devoted himself to the importation and sales of books, abandoning his dry-goods business. He published his first book in 1831. He gradually diversified. In 1841, he began offering children's books. In 1845, he began sending books to Latin America which — despite his lack of contacts — turned out to be a good market for him due to its recent independence from Spain. His business in that region was enduring and profitable. In 1847, he started offering travel literature.

The firm which he established in New York City became known as D. Appleton & Co.. The publications of the house extend over the entire field of literature. The firm's New American Cyclopedia was for 50 years the largest and most widely circulated work of its kind ever produced in the United States. His company was continued by his descendants.

He retired in 1848, and died in New York City.