Usborne is one of the world’s leading independent book publishers who are proud to be a family business that aims to create brilliant books for children of all ages. For 50 years they have done just that, and in 2023 they celebrate 50 years of books for curious kids.
Usborne's founder, Peter Usborne, revolutionized the world of publishing for children by pioneering engaging, innovative, illustrated books, which combined popular subject matter with unrivalled quality in editorial and production.
Peter always commented that that parenthood has been the greatest privilege of his life, and that publishing children’s books has been an extension of that.
Despite being in his eighties, Peter continued to look forward to coming to work every morning until the very end, and his roles as publisher and parent were still intertwined as he was chairman of Usborne, alongside his daughter Nicola Usborne, who is Managing Director.
The publisher said Peter died “unexpectedly but peacefully” this morning, Thursday 30th March, surrounded by his family.
“Peter was, in the truest sense of the word, a genius – his brilliance was matched only by his determination to make books accessible to all children,” the publisher said.
“This determination was fuelled by his passion for ‘doing things better’ than any other children’s book publisher, matched with a child-like energy and curiosity that made him light up every room he stepped into.
“He was an exceptional publisher, an inspirational leader and a very kind, generous man who will be sorely missed by everyone who was lucky enough to know him.”
Usborne leaves his wife, Wendy, children Nicola and Martin, and five grandchildren.
Usborne, co-founder of the satirical magazine Private Eye, founded his publishing house in 1973 when he found out he was going to become a parent. In February 2023, he received a CBE from King Charles III at Windsor Castle, after he was awarded it by Queen Elizabeth II in the 2022 New Year’s Honours List. Recognised for Services to Literature, the honour was made in the 50th anniversary year for Usborne. His CBE followed an MBE in 2011 for Services to the Publishing Industry and in 2015 he received the London Book Fair Lifetime Achievement Award.
In a statement, Nicola Usborne said: “I am heartbroken that my beloved dad died this morning. We will miss him more than I can say. He was a brilliant, ever curious, ever enthusiastic man – who was also very kind, very generous and honourable and principled to his core. He was the best dad I could imagine.
“He always joked that he intended never to die, and we all hoped he’d have many more years. We take some solace in the fact that he had such a very full life right up until the end. He was so proud to pick up his CBE recently at Windsor Castle; he loved every minute of the Bologna Book Fair and Usborne’s 50th anniversary party with so many long-standing customers; he was thrilled at a recent fiction buy.
“He spent his very last day yesterday in the office in a whole day meeting with HarperCollins US talking about the US trade channel expansion that he was so excited by. He had travelled into his beloved office by Tube – as he always did. He was living his life as he always wanted to. He never ever understood why anyone would want to retire, and he would have been so pleased that he never, even remotely, did.
“My dad was incredibly proud of everyone who works at Usborne, which includes many long-standing members of staff. He made clear that any award he was given was owed to all at Usborne and he read every book cover to cover.
“Dad was also immensely proud of the charity he co-founded, the Usborne Foundation. Giving back was enormously important to him.
“The company and all the staff meant so much to him. Irrespective of length of service my dad was a huge influence on Usborne and we’re all feeling his loss hugely.
“I feel very lucky to have had a number of years learning from my dad about how he felt Usborne should be run. I will do my absolute best to keep his remarkable legacy alive as we take Usborne forward. My dad left very clear, indelible tracks for us to follow. It was his greatest wish that Usborne would keep on pushing forward, even ultimately without him."
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