Knopf, Alfred A. (Alfred Abraham Knopf) [key], 1892–1984, American publisher, b. New York City. After working (1912–14) for the Doubleday, Page Publishing Company, he founded (1915) Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., with his wife, Blanche Wolf Knopf, 1894–1966, a literary tastemaker and champion of contemporary authors. The Knopf company emphasized translations of great contemporary European literature, at that time neglected by American publishers, and specialized in producing books that were outstanding for fine printing, binding, and design. The company's colophon, the borzoi, chosen by Blanche Knopf, became synonymous with beauty and taste in book design and high standards in the selection of books for publication. The publishing firm remained independent until 1960, when it was sold to Random House, Inc.
See A. A. Knopf and C. McGrath, Alfred A. Knopf 1915–2015, A Century of Publishing (2015); biography of Blanche Knopf by L. Claridge (2016).
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