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Northeastern University Press records

 Collection
Identifier: A102

Overview

The Northeastern University Press was founded by William Frohlich in 1977. Frohlich had been hired to reorganize the department responsible for printing the University's promotional and informational materials. Frohlich worked with Northeastern University President Kenneth Ryder to create a small academic press that would operate on a small budget and publish scholarly books. President Ryder recognized that a university press would help strengthen the academic reputation of Northeastern and encourage scholarship among the faculty. Initially called the Northeastern University Publishing Group, the program evolved into the Northeastern University Press. The Press chose to focus on subject areas that corresponded to the strengths of the university's academic departments, were perceived as unmet market needs (including women's studies, American history, music, and criminology), and that emphasized local and regional topics. An editorial board made up of University faculty approved new projects. The NU Press also distributed material for American museums and historical institutions, such as the Massachusetts Historical Society and the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. In addition to new material, the Press published new editions or new compilations of work by historical figures such as Louisa May Alcott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Samuel Eliot Morison. By 2000, sales had grown from $10,000 to about $1.5 million, and the Press published 30-40 titles each year. In 2004, due to financial difficulties, the Northeastern University Press became a member of the University Press of New England.



Dates

  • Creation: 1976-2005

Creator

Language of Materials

Material is entirely in English.

Conditions Governing Access:

Records are closed for 25 years from their date of creation, unless researchers have written permission from the creating office.

Extent

2 cubic feet (2 containers)

System of Arrangement:

Arranged in two series: Series 1.Administrative Files; Series 2. Media.

Technical Access:

Some of the material is in CD or VHS format.

Physical Location

33/2

Bibliography

  • Current Mission and Future Plans (Box 1)
  • Financial History (Box 1)
  • History of the Northeastern University Press (Box 1)
Title
Finding aid for the Northeastern University Records
Author
Finding aid prepared by Eliana Wachs Cashman
Date
March 2008
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Northeastern University Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Snell Library
360 Huntington Avenue
Boston MA 02115 US