William Collins

1789 - 1853

Publisher. Born Eastwood Parish (East Renfrewshire). Collins left school at the age of eleven to become a weaver. Motivated by strong religious principles, he began teaching and in 1813 opened a school for the poor in Glasgow. Influenced by evangelist Thomas Chalmers (1780 - 1847), Collins set up a book-selling and publishing business to produce religious and school books. Collins grew to be one of Scotland's most significant publishers and HarperCollins (still based in Glasgow) is now part of Rupert Murdoch's £20 billion News Corporation.

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