CUP 125

A Toast to 125 Years of Publishing

Seth Low founded Columbia University Press in 1893, so it is fitting that 125 years later we held an anniversary reception in the building that bears his name—the Low Memorial Library. 

On April 3, 2018, the CUP staff and 250 guests gathered to toast the 125th anniversary of Columbia University Press. The program included remarks by John Coatsworth, Provost of Columbia University; Ian Buruma, editor of the New York Review of Books; and Jennifer Crewe, our press director.

Today, we publish 200 new books each year in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences, and we have an imprint with the Columbia Business School. Our mission—first articulated 125 years ago—continues to guide us. We remain committed to the scholarly goals of the University and seek groundbreaking, field-changing works for a global readership. We have more than 6,000 books in print and more than 4,000 available in electronic format. None of this would be possible without the support of our authors, donors, staff, and industry partners. We are humbled and honored that so many of you were able to attend our 125th anniversary celebration. Enjoy the photos!

“Our legacy is—and our future will be—the books we publish and the ideas we help promote.”
Jennifer Crewe
Associate Provost, Columbia University • Director, Columbia University Press

This season, we held a display competition among bookstores as part of our year-long quasquicentennial celebration. The competition, which ran February 23 to April 20, was open to stores nationwide. Today, we are proud to announce that the first and second place winners were Prairie Lights (Iowa), and Northtown Books (California). The two winners each received a trip for one employee to New York City for BEA 2018.

For 125 years, we have been dedicated to publishing field-defining books that derive from original research and deep thought. We hope you enjoy this selection of 125 notable titles we’ve published since 1893.

 

CUP HISTORY AT A GLANCE

 

Columbia University Press receives ongoing support from a number of organizations and private donors. Our generous donors give life to path-breaking, influential, and enduring scholarship.

Each month, we will post reminiscences from CUP alumni. Follow these stories on social media #CUPAlumniMemories.

If you were once a CUP staff member or intern and would like to share your story, fill out this form