Hurst & Blackett was an influential British publishing house established in London in 1852. The firm was co-founded by Daniel William Stow Hurst, a former employee of the established publisher Henry Colburn, and Henry Blackett, the grandson of a London shipbuilder. Shortly after forming their partnership, Hurst and Blackett acquired Colburn's business, positioning themselves as his direct successors. Their earliest publications proudly displayed "Successors to Henry Colburn" on their title pages, a designation later replaced by the phrase "Publishers since 1812" to commemorate the year Colburn first commenced his publishing career.
The firm initially operated from Colburn's original premises on Great Marlborough Street before later moving to Paternoster House on Paternoster Row, London. Under their leadership, the company expanded its reach globally, establishing offices in major international hubs including New York and Melbourne. The publishing tradition remained a family affair, as four of Henry Blackett's sons eventually followed in their father's footsteps to become publishers themselves.
Following decades of independent operation, Hurst & Blackett was acquired by the publisher Hutchinson. Through subsequent corporate mergers and acquisitions, the legacy of the historic imprint eventually became part of Random House.
