Talk:Elsevier/Archives/2015

Foundation

The Elsevier we know today was founded by Jacobus George Robbers (b.1838, Rotterdam, Netherlands) who moved from being a bookseller to publisher in 1872. His focus was the import of English language books and the publication of translations of these works. His entrepreneurial energy makes for a successful business and by 1880 he establishes a Plc based in Rotterdam backed by four other gentlemen who will take a seat in the supervisory board. According to the original prospectus, the founder envisages a publishing house that will ‘publish books, acquire and market book collections both original and in translation.’ The prospectus goes on to claim that ‘With a clear insight, good management and an energetic publishing operation, the undersigned are of the opinion that there is every chance for a more than ordinary success.’ For name and logo, Robbers chooses Elsevier as well as the original logo created by Isaac Elzevier, grandson of the founder Lodewijk Elzevier of the 16th century publishing house. As the Elzevier family died out and their company went under in the 18th century, both name and logo are unprotected and Robbers is free to use them. The latin motto is ‘Non solus’, not alone.

References

Early years

Jacob Robbers would draw his sons Cornelis, Herman, Jacobus (Koos) and grandson John into the family business which is small but thriving. Two important publications form the main stay of the publishing house Elsevier’s Geïllustreerd Maandschrift (Elsevier’s Illustrated Monthly) and the Winkler Prins Encyclopedia as of its second edition in 1884. The former magazine is the founder’s pride and joy, modeled on Harper’s Monthly and similar publication it aims to bring the reader illustrated literature, articles about the arts and popular science. In its first years many famous Dutch writers will publish in the magazine such as Louis Couperus, Herman Heijermans and Marcellus Emants. The Winkler Prins encyclopedia was the work of the Anabaptist preacher Anthony Winkler Prins and had a status in the Netherlands similar to the Encyclopedia Brittanica in English language countries.

In 1887 the company moves to Amsterdam where it remains to this day. In 1918 the company will merge with Jac. G. Robbers, Feikema and Caarelsen & Co changing its name to NV Boekhandel en Uitgeversmaatschappij Elsevier (PLC Book traders and Publishers Elsevier). The founder will pass away in 1925 at the same time as son Koos, the elder Cor already having died in 1916. The modest company draws younger son Herman into the executive board away from his beloved editorship of the monthly magazine. By 1928 the company reaches its nadir and Herman will present a gloomy outlook about the company’s future to the supervisory board on the 13th of July. Eventually this pessimism was unnecessary as the company hired Johannes Pieter (Teddy) Klautz in that year as secretary to the board. Klautz would turn out to be a particularly energetic entrepreneur whose importance for Elsevier cannot be overestimated. A mere two years after being hired the 26 year old will accede to the Elsevier board. It is under Klautz that Elsevier will first foray into the English language scientific and academic publications in the 1930ies and it is also Klautz whose efforts on two specific publications will allow Elsevier to come through WWII successfully. The flamboyant Klautz formed a strong tandem with the more conservative accountant type John Robbers, thereby combining sound financial management with creativity and enthusiasm as well as social agility. All essential elements for a successful publishing house.

References

Wikipedia

Just saw this on Ars Technica, and this, which was linked to by the previous article. I am thinking that this is notable... Where should this information go in the article? SarrCat ∑;3 22:07, 15 September 2015 (UTC)

Sarr Cat Elsevier has thousands of business partnerships and dozens of them have been critiqued, for example in the context of The Cost of Knowledge campaign. I am not sure that this article is the best place to include the Wikipedia relationship because right now, the issue is minor in the media, and definitely it is minor in the context of Elsevier as a major international company doing world changing things routinely.

The information might go in this article - I do not wish to dissuade you entirely because I am not sure. Other options are Academic journal publishing reform, Wikipedia#Access_to_content, or some other article related to open access. In my opinion, this information is most significant in the context of Wikipedia, then in the context of open access, and finally in the context of Elsevier. Blue Rasberry (talk) 13:46, 16 September 2015 (UTC)

New article creation

I would like to create new article for Elsevier Global Conferences as it is conducting 50+ conferences with more than 10,000 yearly attendees [[1]]. Let me link this new article to parent article.Dentking07 (talk) 16:55, 22 October 2015 (UTC)

Let me proceed with new article creation Dentking07 (talk) 12:13, 23 October 2015 (UTC) Not able to get right sources, can i proceed with primary sources. Dentking07 (talk) 15:45, 24 October 2015 (UTC)

It is very difficult to create the new articles as experienced editors are merging, so I kept Elsevier Global Conferences section in main page. It may not be informative to scientific /academic community. Dentking07 (talk) 14:20, 3 November 2015 (UTC)