Thomas Nelson History: The Mission

A source of Light in a dark world

At the end of the eighteenth century the United States was in its infancy. France was being hurled into revolution. And Scotland was experiencing an era of division between religion and reason. Timing was ideal for Nelson to pursue Christian publishing. A vibrant spiritual revival stoked years earlier by the preaching of George Whitefield and others continued to stir dozens of churches and thousands of souls throughout Scotland.

In such an environment Thomas proved to be anything but a typical bookseller. While he built his business in Edinburgh selling second-hand books, he also wanted to publish his own materials. And—unlike other publishers who catered to the wealthy—he dreamed of providing affordable Christian works and classic literature for the "common folk."

Within a few years, Thomas began to publish important works such as John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, Robinson Crusoe, and The Vicar of Wakefield in inexpensive editions. Nelson also published the Bible in thirty-two-page installments, enabling people of all classes to access the Word of God much more easily. And he pioneered new distribution methods, selling books at fairs and auctions in town squares across Scotland.

Initially, booksellers balked at selling Nelson's publications because of his low prices and innovative sales methods. Even so, his growing reputation for integrity and enthusiasm caused his enterprise to flourish.

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