Ashgate Publishing

Ashgate Publishing

Ashgate Publishing was an academic book and journal publisher based in the United Kingdom. It was known for publishing scholarly works in the humanities and social sciences, with a particular focus on history, music, sociology, and religious studies. Ashgate was recognized for its commitment to publishing specialized and high-quality academic content.

History

Ashgate Publishing was founded in 1967 and initially focused on publishing academic books in the fields of humanities and social sciences. Over the years, it expanded its catalog to include a wide range of subjects, including history, musicology, sociology, political science, and religious studies.

In 2015, Ashgate Publishing was acquired by Taylor & Francis, a major academic publisher. Following the acquisition, Ashgate's titles were integrated into the Taylor & Francis Group, and the Ashgate imprint was eventually phased out.

Publishing Focus

Ashgate was known for its specialized academic publications, often catering to niche areas of study. The publisher was particularly noted for its contributions to the fields of:

• History: Ashgate published numerous works on historical topics, including medieval history, early modern history, and contemporary history.
• Music: The publisher had a strong catalog in musicology, including works on music theory, music history, and ethnomusicology.
• Sociology: Ashgate's sociology titles covered a wide range of topics, from social theory to cultural studies.
• Religious Studies: The publisher offered a variety of books on religious history, theology, and interfaith studies.

Notable Series

Ashgate was known for several notable book series, including:

• The Variorum Collected Studies Series: A series of collected essays by leading scholars in various fields.
• The Ashgate Popular and Folk Music Series: A series focusing on the study of popular and folk music traditions.
• The Ashgate Studies in Environmental Policy and Practice: A series examining environmental policy issues and practices.

Impact and Legacy

Ashgate Publishing played a significant role in the academic publishing landscape by providing a platform for specialized and scholarly works. Its acquisition by Taylor & Francis allowed for the continuation and expansion of its titles under a larger publishing umbrella.

Also see

• Taylor & Francis
• Academic publishing
• History of publishing
• Scholarly communication