David & Charles - celebrating 50 years of publishing

David & Charles celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2010. The company was founded in Devon on April Fool's Day, 1960, by David St John Thomas and Charles Hadfield, and is still based in Newton Abbot. it soon made its name by publishing transport and local history books, and for many years also owned several book clubs under the umbrella of its sister company Readers' Union.

Fifty years on, D&C is transforming from a quality publishing house to a media business with focus on delivering useful and entertaining information to its customers and consumers by whichever means they wish to receive it. The company's aim is still to inspire, inform and connect communities passionate about their interests and hobbies. By creating, delivering and selling content to exceed consumers’ expectations within key areas of expertise, the future for D+C is bright as we look ahead to the digital transformation of the publishing industry.

To celebrate our 50th birthday, we've created this page with special offers, a competition to win a year's worth of books, and some light-hearted facts and images about David & Charles and our history that we hope you'll enjoy.