Joseph Whitaker

Joseph Whitaker (4 May 1820 – 15 May 1895) was a publisher who founded Whitaker's Almanack.

Early life Joseph Whitaker was born in London, and apprenticed to a bookseller at the age of fourteen.

Career After years of experience at various bookselling firms, he undertook his own business as a publisher, first as J. Whitaker and later as J. Whitaker & Sons. Early publications were theological works. In January 1858 he launched The Bookseller and in 1869 published the first issue of Whitaker's Almanack, a reference annual, which met with immediate (and lasting) success.

In 1874 he launched the Reference Catalogue of Current Literature, whose goal to "anthologiz publishers' catalogues". This reference work went through numerous editions.

He helped "organize and distribute relief funds for Parisian booksellers"

Whitaker died at 68 Silver Street, Enfield, on 15 May 1895, where he had lived since 1862. He was buried at West Norwood Cemetery.

The British bookseller and publisher George Byrom Whittaker (1793–1847) was not related to Joseph Whitaker.

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