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Scottish schoolmaster and publisher, founder of William Collins, Sons
William Collins (publisher)
The basics
Quick facts
Intro
Scottish schoolmaster and publisher, founder of William Collins, Sons
A.K.A.
Collins, William 1789-1853
Gender:
Male
Places:
Work field:
Birth:
12 October 1789(Pollokshaws)
Death:
2 January 1853
Family:
Children:
William Collins
The details
Biography
William Collins (12 October 1789–2 January 1853) was a Scottish schoolmaster, editor and publisher who founded William Collins, Sons, now part of HarperCollins.
Collins was born at Pollokshaws near Glasgow on 12 October 1789. He was a millworker from around 1800 who established a company in 1819 for printing and publishing pamphlets, sermons, hymn books and prayer books as well as a wide range of office products. He produced the first Collins English Dictionary in 1824, when he also obtained a licence to publish the Bible. In 1856, the first Collins atlas was published. He died on 2 January 1853 at Rothesay, Buteshire.