2015 marks the 70th anniversary of the New Naturalist series.
To celebrate the occasion, we sat down with Publishing Director Myles Archibald, and asked him about the inception of the series, his favourite volumes and authors, the iconic cover artwork and the future of the project.
Part One
Myles Archibald, Publisher of the New Naturalists, recalls his early relationship with the series before he took over in 1987, and the inspiration he drew from three of the most significant titles in the series, by the esteemed authors Kenneth Mellanby, J.R. Harris and Eric Simms.
Part Two
New Naturalists publisher Myles Archibald busts ‘The Great Myth’ that the conception of the books’ series was conjured in an air raid shelter by Billy Collins and James Fisher, while shining some light on the role that Kodachrome film had to play…
Part Three
From Harris’ An Angler’s Entomology to the Cambridge botanist Max Walters, taking in New Naturalist polymath Derek Ratcliffe along the way, Myles provides an illuminating insight into some of the heroes behind the beloved series.
Part Four
Publishing Director Myles Archibald tells us about the iconic artwork of the New Naturalist series.
Starting with the married Clifford and Rosemary Ellis, suggested by William Collins himself, the unique covers of the New Naturalist series have helped to propel the books to prominence. Myles also describes the situation which saw Robert Gilmor take the opportunity to show his talent.
Part Five
Publisher of the New Naturalist series Myles Archibald shares with us his proudest moment in publishing the series, telling us how the changes in the publishing process since the sixties and seventies has made the books increasingly satisfying to publish, and successful too.
Part Six
Myles Archibald, Publisher of the New Naturalist series, tells us exactly how the collection has adapted with the times with the introduction of digital printing and consumption, and exactly what that has meant for life-long readers.