Robert F. de Graff

About

Robert Fair de Graff was a pivotal figure in the American publishing industry, best known for founding Pocket Books in 1939. Born in Plainfield, New Jersey, in 1895, he studied at the Hotchkiss School before entering the publishing world. De Graff's career began as a salesman for Doubleday, Page and Company, where he eventually became president of the Garden City Publishing Company, a subsidiary of Doubleday. His vision for accessible literature led him to collaborate with Simon & Schuster to launch Pocket Books, revolutionizing the market with affordable, portable paperbacks. De Graff's innovative approach transformed how Americans read by making books widely available and affordable. He achieved this by distributing Pocket Books through unconventional channels like newsstands and drugstores, reaching a broader audience. This strategy not only increased accessibility but also democratized reading, contributing to a cultural shift in literature consumption. De Graff's impact on the publishing industry was profound, inspiring other publishers to follow suit and expand the paperback market. He passed away in 1981, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence the way people read today.