Hurd & Houghton, New York, Cambridge

In February of 1864 Melancthon M. Hurd retired from Sheldon & Co., a New York publishing firm in which he had been a partner since 1856. (Initially with Sheldon, Blakeman & Co.)

On March 1, 1864 Hurd joined Henry O. Houghton (1823-1895) to establish a partnership called Hurd & Houghton. Houghton was a native of Vermont. He was employed in various capacities in the book world beginning at the age of thirteen. He worked in Cambridge with Freeman & Bolles and later became a partner in the newly named Bolles and Houghton company. In 1852 Houghton moved the firm to a building along the Charles River and renamed his outfit the "Riverside Press".

The Hurd & Houghton firm was engaged in printing and binding at the "Riverside" in Cambridge Mass. This activity was managed by Houghton. Hurd ran the publishing and bookselling business from the office at 401 Broadway in New York City.

In January, 1865 Hurd & Houghton announced that it had acquired the entire book list of the publishing firm of J. G. Gregory. A. G. Houghton, Henry's brother, entered the house as a partner in 1866, infusing some well needed capital. George H. Mifflin and Horace E. Scudder were admitted as partners in 1872. In 1877 Crocker and Brewster transferred its books' copyrights and plates to Hurd & Houghton.

The latest imprints of this firm were in 1878. It was succeeded by Houghton, Osgood & Company.

In addition to books, this company also published the monthly Riverside Magazine for Young People. It was published between 1867-1870 (four volumes) and was edited by Horace E. Scudder. It merged with Scribner's Monthly in 1871. Contributing authors of the magazine included Hans Christian Andersen and Mary makes Dodge.

Hurd & Houghton addresses.
1864-1865 401 Broadway
1866-1870 459 Broome St.
1870-1877 13 Astor place

This firm published a number of juvenile series. They are noted here.