Which 18th-century British bookseller gives the Newbery Medal its name?

John Newbery is the 18th-century British bookseller whose name the Newbery Medal commemorates.

Newbery lived from 1713 to 1767 and became one of England’s most influential early publishers of books for children. His London firm issued reading books, educational works, stories, and inexpensive gift books, helping make children’s publishing commercially viable. He is often called a father of children’s literature.

The American Library Association established the medal in 1922, after a proposal by Publishers Weekly editor Frederic G. Melcher. It honors the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children, not the publisher or illustrator of the winning book.

A common mix-up is with Randolph Caldecott: the Caldecott Medal recognizes distinguished American picture-book illustration. Andrew Carnegie was a philanthropist, while Frederic G. Melcher proposed the Newbery but did not give it his name.