About F. E. Compton
Lived 1874 – 1950 (aged 75). F. E. Compton was an American publisher.
Frank Elbert Compton (August 7, 1874 – May 13, 1950) was a publisher of encyclopedias and other reference works, most notably Compton's Pictured Encyclopedia from 1922, later named Compton's Encyclopedia.
Compton graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and from 1894 he was an associate of publisher Chandler Beach. Compton became the general manager of C. B. Beach & Company in 1905. He took over the firm when Beach retired in 1907, and the company name later changed to F. E. Compton & Co..
Compton spent his career in Chicago and he died in La Jolla, California.
The New Student's Reference Work was published by C. B. Beach & Company until 1912, then by F. E. Compton & Co..
Publishing rights to the F.E. Compton & Company products were acquired by Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. in 1961, and the encyclopedia is still in print as Compton's by Britannica.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in F. E. Compton's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped F. E. Compton's
Frequently asked questions
Who was F. E. Compton?
American publisher
When was F. E. Compton born?
F. E. Compton was born on 7 August 1874 in Wood.
When did F. E. Compton die?
F. E. Compton died on 13 May 1950 in La Jolla.
What was F. E. Compton's occupation?
F. E. Compton was a publisher.
What nationality was F. E. Compton?
F. E. Compton was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). F. E. Compton. https://biography.guide/f-e-compton/
MLA: "F. E. Compton." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/f-e-compton/.
Chicago: "F. E. Compton." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/f-e-compton/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:07 UTC