Private company

Marquis Who's Who

Logo: Reed Publishing Inc., publisher and owner of Marquis Who's Who trademark, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons3

American publishing company

Marquis Who's Who, also known as A.N. Marquis Company ( or ), is an American publisher of a number of directories containing short biographies. The books usually are entitled Who's Who in... followed by some subject, such as Who's Who in America, Who's Who of American Women, Who's Who in Asia, Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in Science and Engineering, Who's Who in American Politics, etc.2 It was founded by Albert Nelson Marquis.1 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 20, 2026.

Overview

1899Founded1

See how the biggest companies compare on our leaderboards

Marquis Who's Who, also known as A.N. Marquis Company ( or ), is an American publisher of a number of directories containing short biographies. The books usually are entitled Who's Who in... followed by some subject, such as Who's Who in America, Who's Who of American Women, Who's Who in Asia, Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in Science and Engineering, Who's Who in American Politics, etc.2

The story

Founded by Albert Nelson Marquis in 1899.1

History

Founded in 1898 by Albert Nelson Marquis as an American counterpoint to the UK-oriented publication of the same name (published by A.C. Black since 1849 and, notably, including substantial biographies since 1897), the first edition of the publication contained concise biographies of more than 8,500 "distinguished Americans". Albert Marquis wrote that the book's objective was to "chronicle the lives of individuals whose achievements and contributions to society make them subjects of widespread reference interest and inquiry."

Originally independent, it was acquired by the conglomerate ITT. News Communications, Inc., which owns The Hill, bought Marquis in 2003. In 2016, the company's assets, including all the trademarks were transferred to Marquis Who's Who Ventures LLC, which is privately owned.

Historical series

Who Was Who in America ISSN 0146-8081)

Who's Who in 20th Century America

From Wikipedia’s article on Marquis Who's Who, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4

Leadership

Who has led Marquis Who's Who, and when. Pick a name to see everywhere that person has worked.

Board members and other officers (1)

Subsidiaries and ownership

Owners

Former owners and parents

From Wikidata.1

Timeline

  1. 2003Acquired Acquired by News Communications, Inc.1
  2. 1991Acquired Acquired by RELX1
  3. 1985Acquired Acquired by Macmillan Inc.1
  4. 1926Acquired Acquired by ITT Corporation1
  5. 1899Acquired Acquired by Albert Nelson Marquis1
  6. 1899Founded Founded1

Sources

The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4