Our 250 Year Story
Encyclopædia Britannica has been the definitive storyteller for over 250 years
Founded in Edinburgh, Scotland
Created by two entrepreneurs, Colin Macfarquhar and Andrew Bell, and an editor, William Smellie.
A new Library Research Service engaged readers like never before
The Library Research Service was an all-female department created to spur sales and to keep Britannica before the eyes of the reading public during the Depression.
The department received queries on every imaginable topic—from sex to the stock market. Each reader received a personalized report consisting of the latest research from the leading authorities of the day.
The service was so phenomenally popular that Britannica had to start limiting the questions per customer.
Britannica acquires G. & C. Merriam Company
Today, Merriam-Webster.com serves nearly 40 Million unique visitors per month.
Britannica’s consumer site Britannica.com is launched
Today, Britannica.com is our flagship consumer destination drawing more than 20 Million unique visitors monthly.
Britannica introduces websites for schools, colleges and libraries
Today, Britannica Digital Learning is global provider of educational tools, serving more than 140 Million students worldwide.
Britannica launches subscription services to consumers, schools, and libraries
Digital revenue surpassed print revenue for the first time in our 200+ year history.
Encyclopaedia Britannica Kids launches branded children’s books at retail
Britannica Digital Learning announces new curriculum aligned LaunchPack Social Studies
Designed for classroom use and to make lesson planning more efficient, it helps teachers engage students with ready-to-use content that covers the entire curriculum.
Britannica Group announces Karthik Krishnan as CEO
Karthik believes in the transformative power of education and is passionate about enabling lifelong learning. As the Global CEO of the Britannica Group of companies (Britannica, Merriam-Webster, Britannica Knowledge Systems, and Melingo), he is focused on value creation for our customers and unlocking the true potential of our trusted brands.
YouTube joins forces with Britannica to provide easier access to credible and authoritative information
Encyclopaedia Britannica will provide custom, fact-checked information on certain historical and scientific topics that have been subject to misinformation, and YouTube will link to this information from Britannica in searches and below videos about these topics.
Encyclopaedia Britannica Group Launches Free Chrome Browser Extension
Britannica Insights™ helps searchers cut through the clutter, save time, learn more, be sure about their results.
Britannica launches “Curiosity Day” to Empower your mind, Embolden your heart, and Discover your Curiosity
Information and activities are available at curiosity.britannica.com and on YouTube. Britannica is thrilled to celebrate the history that has shaped our authority and is eager to build steps for our next 250 years.
Named #1 Company to Watch
Britannica is named the #1 EdTech company to watch by EdTech Digest in March, 2019.
Launched video storytelling platform for students
Britannica launches LumieLabs for K-12 students, leading to world-renowned partners with brands like Nickelodeon to provide students with tools to amplify their voice.
Merriam-Webster introduces vocab app for students
Puku joins Britannica Group’s suite of solutions created to reimagine learning and make vocabulary fun and interactive.
Announces partnerships with National Geographic and Kahoot!
Announced partnership with National Geographic to expand social studies content and launched Kahoot-integrated. LaunchPacks.
The UK’s first curriculum-focused content collaboration between a UK MAT and a trusted global publisher to support UK teachers
Curated by UK curriculum experts and instructional leaders around thematic units, LaunchPacks provides a structured framework for tenured, new, and non-specialist teachers alike. With thoughtful curriculum resources, mapped to the new Inspection Framework, LaunchPacks reduces teacher workload, ensures every student has access to a progressive and balanced curriculum, and allows each teacher to meet requirements.
Expedition Learn aims to help students become independent learners
Expedition: Learn! is a 12-week activity-based course to help children ages 5-12 become independent learners and reach their full potential in their education!
Britannica Books launches innovative and inspiring nonfiction books for kids
Britannica launches books designed to engage children’s natural curiosity and passion for learning, and embrace the very latest thinking across all aspects of knowledge.
Britannica launches curriculum tools to empower social justice
These 23 inclusive multimedia content sets provide teachers with thoughtfully selected curriculum resources and a clear path to engage students in difficult topics, while enabling students to explore under-told history, make deeper connections to systemic issues, and build social-emotional skills such as empathy and awareness.
Britannica partners with the Japanese ministry to create STEAM curriculum
Over the past 25 years, Ministries of Education (MOEs) around the world have turned to Encyclopædia Britannica to help them shape their country’s education vision and prepare the leaders of tomorrow.
Britannica for Parents makes its debut
Britannica’s new website, just for parents, provides information, resources, and advice from trusted experts in child development and early education.
Britannica hosts Nickelodeon’s Kids Pick the President program
Britannica has partnered with Nickelodeon to provide schools with the tools and structure to tell their own stories, engage in politics, and ask leaders questions.