Infobase Publishing

Quick Facts: Who was Infobase Publishing?

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Infobase Publishing

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American publisher of reference books and educational databases for North American markets.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Foundation

Infobase operates through several prominent imprints, establishing a broad foundation across various educational sectors. Key components include Facts On File, which began publishing general reference and trade books as early as 1941. Another foundational imprint is Chelsea House, which was established in 1966 and quickly gained recognition for its multi-volume reference works. These early imprints allowed the company to build a diverse portfolio catering to academic needs.

Breakthrough & Iconic Era

The company's growth accelerated through strategic acquisitions over the decades, solidifying its market presence. Infobase acquired Ferguson Publishing in 2003, specializing in valuable career education works. Further expanding its reach, it purchased Films for the Humanities & Sciences in 2007 and the World Almanac in 2009. These acquisitions marked a pivotal period, broadening the scope from pure reference to include multimedia and almanac data.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Today, Infobase maintains a significant legacy by serving the North American library, secondary school, and university-level curriculum markets. Its portfolio remains robust, encompassing specialized imprints like Vault Law and Omnigraphics. The continuous acquisition of educational resources, such as The Mailbox lesson plans in 2017, demonstrates an enduring commitment to providing comprehensive, up-to-date learning materials globally.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1941: 1941 Milestone — Key components include Facts On File, which began publishing general reference and trade books as early as 1941.
2. 1966: 1966 Milestone — Another foundational imprint is Chelsea House, which was established in 1966 and quickly gained recognition for its multi-volume reference works.
3. 2003: 2003 Milestone — Infobase acquired Ferguson Publishing in 2003, specializing in valuable career education works.
4. 2007: 2007 Milestone — Further expanding its reach, it purchased Films for the Humanities & Sciences in 2007 and the World Almanac in 2009.
5. 2017: 2017 Milestone — The continuous acquisition of educational resources, such as The Mailbox lesson plans in 2017, demonstrates an enduring commitment to providing comprehensive, up-to-date learning materials globally.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Infobase Publishing

True or False: “Infobase's entire publishing history can be traced back to a single, unified founding date.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Infobase's history is built through the gradual acquisition and operation of multiple imprints, such as Facts On File (1941) and Chelsea House (1966), rather than a single founding date.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adam Kuper — Historical peer (Born in 1941) (1941): Influential British social anthropologist known for research in Southern Africa.
• Adnan Khayr Allah — Historical peer (Born in 1941) (1941): Iraqi military officer and Minister of Defense, closely associated with the Ba'ath regime.
• A. O. Scott — Historical peer (Born in 1966) (1966): American journalist and cultural critic specializing in film and literary analysis.
• A. R. Rahman — Historical peer (Born in 1966) (1966): Visionary Indian composer celebrated for blending global sounds with cinematic emotion.
• Alberto Sordi — Historical peer (Died in 2003) (2003): Pillar of Italian Cinema, master of Commedia all'italiana comedy.
• Alija Izetbegović — Historical peer (Died in 2003) (2003): Bosnian politician, Islamic philosopher, and author who led Bosnia through its tumultuous independence.
• Al Oerter — Historical peer (Died in 2007) (2007): Four-time Olympic champion in the discus throw, pioneering athletic consistency.
• Albert Ellis — Historical peer (Died in 2007) (2007): Pioneering figure in psychotherapy, founder of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
• Aage Bohr — Historical peer (Died in 2009) (2009): Pioneering Danish nuclear physicist, Nobel laureate for atomic structure theory.
• Abdurrahman Wahid — Historical peer (Died in 2009) (2009): Influential Indonesian politician, Islamic leader, and fourth President known for pluralism.

Frequently Asked Questions about Infobase Publishing