Who Owns Addison-Wesley?

Addison-Wesley was founded in 1942 as an educational publishing company in the United States. The company developed a strong reputation for producing high-quality STEM textbooks and learning materials, establishing itself as a trusted name in mathematics, science, and computer science education. Throughout the mid-20th century, Addison-Wesley became known for rigorous academic content and pedagogical excellence in STEM subjects. This early focus on quality and academic rigor established Addison-Wesley as a premier publisher in the competitive educational market.

In 1988, Pearson plc acquired Addison-Wesley, the sixth-largest textbook publisher in the US, and merged it with Pearson's educational subsidiary Longman to create Addison-Wesley Longman. This merger significantly expanded Pearson's presence in educational publishing and brought Addison-Wesley into one of the world's largest education companies. The acquisition demonstrated Pearson's strategic focus on STEM education and high-quality academic publishing, recognizing the growing importance of science and technology education in the modern economy.

Following the acquisition, Addison-Wesley has continued to evolve, becoming a global leader in STEM education materials. The brand has expanded to include digital learning platforms and online resources alongside traditional textbooks. This evolution reflects broader changes in educational publishing and the increasing importance of digital learning tools and interactive content. The transition to digital platforms demonstrates Addison-Wesley's ability to adapt to changing educational technologies and student preferences while maintaining its commitment to academic excellence.

Addison-Wesley is now one of the most widely used STEM publishers globally, with materials used in schools and universities worldwide. The brand continues to innovate in educational content delivery, developing interactive learning platforms, adaptive learning technologies, and comprehensive digital resources that support modern STEM education. This continued innovation and adaptation to new educational paradigms ensures Addison-Wesley's relevance in the rapidly evolving landscape of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.