Smith, Elder and Company was one of the most significant publishing houses of the 19th century. They published, among many others, the Brontes, George Eliot, John Ruskin and Anthony Trollope as well as producing the highly influential literary periodical, the 'Cornhill Magazine'. In addition, Smith, Elder also founded the Dictionary of National Biography.

The publishing house was established by George Smith (1789-1846) and Alexabder Elder. Smith had moved to London from his home in the north of Scotland. He worked in the publishing house of Rivington before becoming a clerk for John Murray in Albemarle Street. In 1816, he left John Murray and established his own business with Alexander Elder (originally from Banff in Aberdeenshire). A few years later, the business moved to 65 Cornhill, where it continued in family hands until the death of Reginald Smith in 1916. The business (with the exception of the Dictionary of National Biography) was purchased by John Murray.

The Smith, Elder archive within the John Murray Archive consists largely of the business papers of the firm, with some important correspondence. Large volumes of incoming correspondence of the firm and other papers had already been acquired by the Library (Mss.23171-23192, Mss.23229, Acc.13783 and Ch.17351-17353).

However, the papers here do contain some incoming correspondence, including that of noted Smith Elder authors, such as Elizabeth Gaskell, John Ruskin and Anthony Trollope, as well as correspondence relating to the 'Cornhill Magazine'. The business papers include copyright agreements, ledgers relating to the production of books (estimate books, production expenses books, copyright receipt book etc.) and papers relating to the sale of Smith, Elder and Company to John Murray.

There are papers relating to works that were originally published by Smith, Elder and taken over by John Murray in the book files of John Murray. These can be located in Acc.12927