Grove Press
Grove Press is a notable American publishing house that evolved from a small reprint operation into a significant cultural influencer in the United States. Established in the mid-20th century, Grove Press gained prominence for publishing translations of European avant-garde literature and for reissuing controversial erotic works. Among its most significant publications was D.H. Lawrence's "Lady Chatterley's Lover," which was the first unexpurgated edition available in the U.S. and sparked legal battles over obscenity laws. The press also published Henry Miller's "Tropic of Cancer," which faced years of legal scrutiny before being deemed not obscene by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1964. Grove's catalog included other provocative titles such as William Burroughs' "Naked Lunch" and Hubert Selby Jr.'s "Last Exit to Brooklyn." Beyond literature, Grove Press was involved in political discourse and activism, notably publishing works by Che Guevara, which led to violent repercussions, including a bombing of its headquarters in 1968. Additionally, the company produced the influential literary journal "Evergreen Review" and distributed several films that faced censorship challenges. Through its bold choices in content and commitment to free expression, Grove Press played a critical role in shaping the moral and intellectual landscape of its time.
Grove Press
Founded: 1949
Type of organization: American book publishing company
Significance: Grove pioneered in the publishing of experimental, sexually explicit, and politically controversial books
From an obscure reprint house Grove Press grew into a major force in publishing. In the process it altered the moral and intellectual climate of the United States. The press published translations of European avant-garde writers and reprinted such erotic titles as Frank Harris’ My Life and Loves (1922-1926), the anonymous My Secret Life (c. 1890), and D. H. Lawrence’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover (1928). Grove’s publication of the latter title was the first unexpurgated edition of the novel in the United States. Copies were seized by the New York Post Office in 1959—an action that Grove and its owner Barney Rosset successfully challenged in court.
The company’s publication of Henry Miller’s Tropic of Cancer (published in France in 1934) resulted in years of legal action. The book was finally declared not obscene by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1964, but only after Grove had spent sizable sums on legal costs. The company subsequently published Miller’s other major works, as well as William Burroughs’ Naked Lunch (1959) and Hubert Selby’s Last Exit to Brooklyn (1964).
Some of Grove’s most controversial titles were political. For example, its publication of works by the Argentine-Cuban revolutionary leader Che Guevara led to the bombing of Grove’s headquarters by anti-Castro Cubans in 1968—an action in which Grove charged Central Intelligence Agency involvement.
Grove also published the literary journal Evergreen Review from 1957 through 1973. It also distributed the films I Am Curious—Yellow (1967) and Titicut Follies (1969), both of which were targets of censors.