Nelson Doubleday, Jr.

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Nelson Doubleday, Jr. (born July 20, 1933) was the last president of Doubleday and Company (1978-1986) before its sale to Bertelsmann A.G. in 1986. He was instrumental in the company's purchase of the New York Mets in 1980.[1]

After selling his publishing company, he bought a 50 percent stake in the Mets in his own name, with team president Fred Wilpon buying the remaining 50 percent. He retained the post of chairman of the board that he'd held since 1980. Doubleday sold his interest to Wilpon in 2002.

Early life and education

He is the son of Ellen McCarter and Nelson Doubleday, and has a younger sister Neltje. Their father led the Doubleday publishing company, which was founded by his father Frank N. Doubleday. Their paternal grandmother Neltje Blanchan De Greff published books on gardens and birds. The siblings were born in New York City; they grew up in Oyster Bay, Long Island and in South Carolina. Nelson is a 1951 graduate of Deerfield Academy. After Deerfield he attended Princeton.

Neltje married at age 18 to John Turner Sargent, Sr., and they had two children. After their divorce in 1965, she moved to Wyoming with the children. She bought a ranch; restored and operated the historic Sheridan Inn; and became an abstract artist known simply as Neltje. In 2001, she founded the private Jentel Foundation, to support residencies for artists and writers in facilities on her property. In 2005, Neltje received the Governor's Art Award as one of Wyoming's "preeminent artists."[2] In 2010, Neltje made an estate gift of her ranches, studio, art collection and financial holdings to the University of Wyoming, the largest in its history.[2]

Marriage and family

He married Florence McKim, the daughter of Mrs. Ogden Phipps. By 1972 they had separated.[3] He has 2 daughters.

Career

Growing up with his father and grandfather in book publishing, Nelson Doubleday, Jr. also wanted to work in that field. Entering Doubleday as a young man, he advanced in a variety of positions to learn the business. He became president of Doubleday in 1978. In 1980, he was instrumental in the company's decision to buy the Mets baseball team from the Payson family, as well as to expand into television and film production. Doubleday became chairman of the Mets board, a post he retained during its rise to the 1986 World Series title.

In 1986, Doubleday sold the publishing company to Bertelsmann for a reported $475 million.[4] He and Wilpon then bought the Mets from the publishing company for more than $80 million.[5] In 2002, Doubleday sold his stake in the Mets to Wilpon.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Associated Press (1980-01-24). "Doubleday to invest in Mets". The Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 2010-03-24. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Gift will create powerhouse arts center", UWYO, Fall 2010 
  3. ↑ Marylin Bender, "The Story Behind Family and Firm Reads Like a Novel", The Palm Beach Post, 31 December 1972, accessed 19 April 2012
  4. ↑ Associated Press (1986-09-28). "West German-based firm buys Doubleday and Co.". Tri City Herald. Retrieved 2010-03-24. 
  5. ↑ Associated Press (1986-11-14). "Mets in same hands after sale". The Rock Hill Herald. Retrieved 2010-03-24. 
  6. ↑ Sandomir, Richard (2002-08-14). "Baseball; Owners Of Mets Make A Deal". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-03-24. 
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