Academic Press
Academic Press is a U.S.-origin academic publishing brand, now operated under Elsevier, publishing books and journals in science, technology, medicine, and related fields.
Last updated August 31, 2026
Overview
Academic Press is a U.S.-origin academic publishing brand founded by Walter J. Johnson in 1941. It has focused on scholarly publishing in science, technology, medicine, and related disciplines, with books, research monographs, textbooks, reference works, and academic journals aimed at researchers, university faculty, students, and professional institutions. The brand later became part of the Harcourt publishing organization and entered Elsevier’s publishing portfolio following Elsevier’s acquisition of relevant Harcourt businesses. Academic Press now operates primarily as an Elsevier academic publishing imprint, with publications spanning areas such as life sciences, chemistry, physics, computer science, psychology, and other specialist fields.
History
Academic Press was founded in the United States in 1941 as a specialist publisher serving scientific research and higher education. Its publishing program expanded across the natural sciences, life sciences, medicine, psychology, computer science, and other professional disciplines, with scholarly books, reference works, and journals forming its core output. During the consolidation of the publishing industry, Academic Press became part of the Harcourt organization. After Elsevier acquired relevant Harcourt publishing businesses in 2000, Academic Press entered Elsevier’s academic publishing portfolio. The name has since been used primarily as an Elsevier publishing brand or imprint, continuing to serve researchers, universities, and professional institutions.
- 2000
- 1941
Products and positioning
A specialist scholarly imprint focused on authoritative scientific, technical, medical, and interdisciplinary reference publishing.
Academic Press scholarly booksacademic books
Scholarly books in science, technology, medicine, and related specialist fields, including research monographs, professional titles, and higher-education textbooks for researchers, faculty, and students.
Academic Press reference worksreference publishing
Discipline-specific reference publications for researchers, professionals, and institutional users, providing organized coverage of specialist knowledge, terminology, methods, and research information.
Academic Press journalsacademic journals
Peer-reviewed academic journals covering science, life sciences, medicine, and other specialist areas, supporting the dissemination and exchange of research.
Flagship businesses
- Methods in Enzymology
- The International Encyclopedia of Public Health
- Encyclopedia of Neuroscience
Recent events
- 2001Academic Press becomes part of Elsevier after Reed Elsevier acquisition of Harcourt
Reed Elsevier's acquisition of Harcourt brought Academic Press into Elsevier, where it continued as a publishing imprint.
M&A - 1969Academic Press acquired by Harcourt, Brace & World
Harcourt, Brace & World acquired Academic Press, moving the specialist academic publisher into a larger publishing group.
M&A
Sources
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