We are an independent academic publisher, specialising in the humanities and social sciences. Founded by academics, we have been proudly employee-owned since 2015.
Boydell Press was established in 1969 by medieval historian and Arthurian Richard Barber. In 1978, the press merged with D.S. Brewer, set up by Chaucer specialist Derek Brewer, to create an independent publishing house focused on medieval history and literature. As we have continued to grow, we have always kept the research community at the heart of everything we do.
Our story so far
- 1989: partner with University of Rochester to found University of Rochester Press
- 1996: acquire Tamesis Books, founded by hispanists John Varey and Alan Deyermond
- 1997: partner with University of York, Centre for Medieval Studies to found York Medieval Press
- 1998: acquire Camden House, founded by scholars James N. Hardin and Gunther J. Holst
- 2008: acquire James Currey Ltd, whose founder was instrumental in bringing the work of African writers to new audiences
- 2015: become employee-owned, to ensure our long-term independence
- 2022: partner with Durham’s Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies to found Durham University IMEMS Press
- 2023: begin working with Indian publisher Manohar to bring South Asian scholarship to new audiences
We are also proud to support several scholarly societies by providing publishing, distribution and marketing services. We remain committed to giving the best humanities and social science scholarship the global audience it deserves.
As an employee-owned business, we are inherently people-focused. We recognise our interdependence with the academic community and continuing to invest in and champion their work.