Knopf, Alfred A.

Knopf, Alfred A. (kənŏpf`, nŏpf), 1892–1984, American publisher, b. New York City. After working (1912–14) for the Doubleday, Page Publishing Company, he founded (1915) his own firm (Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.), which remained independent until 1960, when the company was sold by Knopf to Random House, Inc.; the Knopf imprint remains in existence. Knopf emphasized translations of great contemporary European literature, at that time neglected by American publishers, and specialized in producing books that were outstanding for fine printing, binding, and design. His colophon, the borzoi, became synonymous with beauty and taste in book design and high standards in the selection of books for publication.

---

Knopf, Alfred A.

(born Sept. 12, 1892, New York, N.Y., U.S.—died Aug. 11, 1984, Purchase, N.Y.) U.S. publisher. He worked a short time in publishing before he and his wife, Blanche, founded their own firm, Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., in 1915. His appreciation of contemporary literature and his literary contacts helped make the firm renowned for publishing works of high literary quality. By the time of his death, authors published by the firm had won 16 Nobel and 27 Pulitzer prizes. In 1966 it became a subsidiary of Random House, Inc. Knopf also published the American Mercury (1924–34), an influential periodical he cofounded with H.L. Mencken and George Jean Nathan.