Samuel Orchart Beeton

Who was Samuel Orchart Beeton?

Samuel Orchart Beeton was an English publisher, best known as the husband of Mrs Beeton and publisher of Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management.

Beeton made money as the first British publisher of Uncle Tom's Cabin in 1852, securing the rights from the then-unknown Harriet Beecher Stowe. He launched The Englishwoman's Domestic Magazine, a pioneering serial for middle-class women, the same year. His Boy's Own Magazine, published in the UK from 1855 to 1890, was the first and most influential boys' magazine.

Beeton married Isabella in 1856, and she contributed to the growing success of the business. He founded Beeton's Christmas Annual paperback magazine in 1860.

Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management was published in 1861. Beeton followed it with a series of other self-help textbooks, including Beeton's Book of Needlework, Beeton's Dictionary of Geography, Beeton's Book of Birds, Beeton's Book of poultry and domestic animals. Beeton's Book of Home Pets, Beeton's Book of Anecdote, Wit and Humour, Beeton's Dictionary of Natural History, and others. He also produced an edition of the works of Francis Bacon.