Samuel Orchart Beeton facts for kids

Samuel Beeton in 1860

Samuel Orchart Beeton (born 1831, died 1877) was an English publisher. He is well-known as the husband of Isabella Mary Mayson, also known as Mrs. Beeton. Samuel Beeton published her famous book, Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management. He also started and published Boy's Own Magazine from 1855 to 1890. This was the first and most important magazine for boys in Britain.

Samuel Beeton's Publishing Work

Beeton's Boy's Own Magazine, 1855–1890, was the first and most important magazine for boys.

Samuel Beeton became successful by publishing Uncle Tom's Cabin in Britain in 1852. He bought the rights to the book from Harriet Beecher Stowe, who was not well-known at the time. Beeton was smart and knew the book would sell well. Its message also fit his own beliefs.

In the same year, he launched The Englishwoman's Domestic Magazine. This was a new type of magazine for women from middle-class families. His Boy's Own Magazine was published in the UK from 1855 to 1890. It became the first and most important magazine for boys in Britain.

Working with Isabella Beeton

Beeton married Isabella Mary Mayson in 1856. Isabella started writing for The Englishwoman's Domestic Magazine. Her work helped the publishing business grow and become even more successful.

In 1860, Samuel Beeton started Beeton's Christmas Annual, a paperback magazine. The next year, he launched a weekly magazine called "The Queen." This magazine focused on fashion and culture for upper-class women.

Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management was published in 1861. After this success, Beeton published many other helpful textbooks. These included Beeton's Book of Needlework and Beeton's Dictionary of Geography. He also published books about animals like Beeton's Book of Birds and Beeton's Book of Poultry and Domestic Animals.

Publishing Sherlock Holmes

In 1887, Beeton's Christmas Annual featured a special story. It was called A Study In Scarlet and was written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. This story was very important because it was the first time the famous detective Sherlock Holmes appeared in literature.

Samuel Beeton's Later Years

Headstone of Samuel and Isabella Beeton, West Norwood Cemetery.

After his wife Isabella passed away in 1865, Samuel Beeton faced financial difficulties. He had to sell the rights to the "Beeton" name to other publishers. He then worked for them as an employee.

In his final years, Samuel Beeton suffered from tuberculosis. He passed away from the illness in 1877, at the age of 47. He was buried next to his wife in West Norwood Cemetery.