Which publisher first published Darwin's 'On the Origin of Species'?

John Murray first published Darwin’s On the Origin of Species in London on 24 November 1859. Murray was one of Britain’s leading nineteenth-century publishers, and the decision helped bring Darwin’s theory of natural selection to a wide reading public.

The book’s full original title was On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life. John Murray agreed to publish it after Darwin’s close associates, including Charles Lyell, helped introduce the proposal. The first printing consisted of 1,250 copies and sold rapidly.

Readers sometimes confuse the original British publisher with later American publishers. An authorised American edition was issued by D. Appleton and Company in 1860. Murray also published later British editions, including the sixth edition of 1872, whose title shortened to The Origin of Species.