Cambridge University Press is a global academic publishing house affiliated with the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. It is widely recognized as the oldest publishing house in the world still in operation, having been established in 1534 after receiving a Royal Charter from King Henry VIII. Its first book was published in 1584, giving the Press a continuous publishing history of nearly five centuries.
The core mission of Cambridge University Press is to advance learning, knowledge, and research at the highest international levels of excellence, through the publication of academic books, scholarly journals, educational materials, and research resources serving students, researchers, and academic institutions worldwide.
Cambridge University Press was founded under Letters Patent granted in 1534, which authorized the University of Cambridge to print and publish books. This royal privilege marked the formal beginning of the Press as a university-based publishing institution.
Since its earliest publications in the late sixteenth century, the Press has maintained uninterrupted activity, making it the oldest continuously operating publishing institution in human history. Over the centuries, it has evolved from a university printer into one of the most influential academic publishers in the world.
Cambridge University Press publishes across a broad spectrum of disciplines, reflecting its comprehensive academic mission.
The Press produces thousands of scholarly books covering:
Humanities and social sciences
Natural sciences and engineering
Medicine and health sciences
Technology and applied sciences
These publications include advanced monographs, reference works, textbooks, and research-driven academic titles used by universities worldwide.
Cambridge University Press publishes hundreds of internationally recognized, peer-reviewed journals that disseminate original research in a wide range of academic fields. These journals play a critical role in global scholarly communication.
Through its English Language Teaching division, the Press is a global leader in publishing materials for learning and teaching English, from beginner to advanced levels. These resources are widely used in schools, universities, and language institutes across the world.
The Press develops curriculum-based educational materials for schools and higher education institutions, supporting both national and international educational systems.
Historically, Cambridge University Press has also published religious texts, including editions of the Bible, alongside other specialized reference works.
Cambridge University Press operates in more than 40 countries, with offices and distribution networks across all continents.
It collaborates with over 200 academic societies and professional organizations, supporting scholarly communities worldwide.
In 2021, the Press merged with Cambridge Assessment to form Cambridge University Press & Assessment, creating a unified global organization dedicated to education, assessment, and research dissemination.
This global structure allows the Press to combine academic rigor with wide international accessibility.
The Press is committed to:
Advancing academic research and scholarly communication
Supporting education at all levels, from primary schooling to advanced research
Expanding digital publishing and open access initiatives
Through programs such as Cambridge Open Equity, the Press seeks to reduce financial barriers for researchers—particularly those in low- and middle-income countries—by supporting equitable access to academic publishing.
Cambridge University Press has published works by some of the most influential thinkers in history, including Isaac Newton, whose Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica remains one of the most important scientific works ever produced.
The Press continues to publish leading research in contemporary fields, contributing millions of articles and scholarly resources to global academic databases.
Its publications are widely regarded for their editorial rigor, academic credibility, and long-term scholarly value.
The headquarters of Cambridge University Press is located at:
University Printing House, Shaftesbury Road, Cambridge, CB2 8BS, United Kingdom
The Press maintains regional offices and representation in many countries, including Egypt, ensuring direct engagement with local academic and educational communities.
Cambridge University Press is far more than a traditional publishing house. It is a global knowledge institution that has shaped education, science, and scholarship for nearly five hundred years. From publishing foundational scientific works to leading modern initiatives in digital and open-access publishing, the Press continues to play a central role in the advancement of human knowledge.
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