Sarah Harkness: The Building of a Publishing Powerhouse

From an impoverished childhood in the Scottish Highlands to Victorian London, this is the inspiring story of Daniel and Alexander Macmillan who built a publishing empire. Daniel and Alexander Macmillan, sons of Scottish crofters, arrived in London in the 1830s at a crucial moment of social change and went on to set up a publishing house that spread radical ideas on equality, science, and education across the world. They cultivated the literary greats of the time such as Lewis Carroll, Thomas Hardy and Christina Rosetti, weathered controversy and tragedy, and fostered a dynasty that would include future prime minister Harold Macmillan.

Including fascinating insights about the great, the good and the sometimes wayward writers of the Victorian era, with feuds, friendships and passionate debate, Sarah’s vibrant book is bursting with all the energy of that exciting period in history.

 

Sponsored by SWAN INN, SWINBROOK