Frederick Gale Ruffner Jr. (August 26, 1926 – August 13, 2014) was an American publisher who is known as the founder of
Gale Research.
He died August 12, 2014, at the age of 87.
Publishing career
Ruffner founded
Gale Research in 1954 while working as a market researcher for the
General Detroit Corporation,
["Gale Founder Frederick Ruffner Dies at 88" ''Library Journal'' – Retrieved October 3, 2014](_blank)
/ref> a manufacturer of fire extinguishers and fire trucks.
Early Gale publications included the ''National Directory of Rack Jobbers'' and the ''National Directory of Trading Stamp Houses''
His first major success was the '' Encyclopedia of Associations'', (originally titled the ''Encyclopedia of American Associations'') in 1956. Beginning with the third edition, the title was changed to the ''Encyclopedia of Associations''.
Other major publications included ''Contemporary Authors
''Contemporary Authors'' is a reference work which has been published by Gale since 1962. It provides short biographies and bibliographies of contemporary and near-contemporary writers. ''Contemporary Authors'' does not have selective inclusion cr ...
'' and the ''Dictionary of Literary Biography
The ''Dictionary of Literary Biography'' is a specialist biographical dictionary dedicated to literature. Published by Gale, the 375-volume setRogers, 106. covers a wide variety of literary topics, periods, and genres, with a focus on American an ...
''.
Ruffner sold Gale to Thomson in 1985.
In 1985, Ruffner founded the publishing company Omnigraphics with his son Peter.
In 1986, Ruffner founded the Literary Landmarks Association
Literature is any collection of written work, but it is also used more narrowly for writings specifically considered to be an art form, especially prose fiction, drama, and poetry. In recent centuries, the definition has expanded to include o ...
to recognize historic sites related to major literary figures and events.
Ruffner was awarded an honorary membership in the American Library Association in 1987.American Library Association's Honorary Member Listing
/ref>
Military career
Ruffner enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of seventeen and fought at Saipan
Saipan ( ch, Sa’ipan, cal, Seipél, formerly in es, Saipán, and in ja, 彩帆島, Saipan-tō) is the largest island of the Northern Mariana Islands, a Commonwealth (U.S. insular area), commonwealth of the United States in the western Pa ...
and Okinawa during World War II.
He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal (BSM) is a United States Armed Forces decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone.
Wh ...
for Valor and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
See also
*'' Encyclopedia of Associations''
*''Contemporary Authors
''Contemporary Authors'' is a reference work which has been published by Gale since 1962. It provides short biographies and bibliographies of contemporary and near-contemporary writers. ''Contemporary Authors'' does not have selective inclusion cr ...
''
*''Dictionary of Literary Biography
The ''Dictionary of Literary Biography'' is a specialist biographical dictionary dedicated to literature. Published by Gale, the 375-volume setRogers, 106. covers a wide variety of literary topics, periods, and genres, with a focus on American an ...
''
References
External links
Gale website
Omnigraphics website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ruffner, Frederick
American publishers (people)
Ohio State University alumni
1926 births
2014 deaths
United States Army personnel of World War II