Alfred A. Knopf is an esteemed American publishing house founded in 1915 by Alfred A. Knopf Sr. and his wife Blanche Knopf in New York City. Originally an independent publishing house, it merged with Random House in 1960 and today operates as an imprint under the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House (owned by Bertelsmann). The company is renowned for its commitment to high-quality literary fiction and historical nonfiction, with an emphasis on elegant book design, fine printing, and the promotion of international literature. Under the Knopfs' leadership, the firm gained a reputation for introducing modernist and diverse voices to American audiences, championing both leading American literary figures (such as Willa Cather, T.S. Eliot, and Ezra Pound) and translated works from European, Asian, and Latin American authors. Following the merger, Blanche served as president until her death in 1966, and Alfred remained chairman until 1984. The imprint maintains an impressive legacy, including over thirty National Book Award winners, and continues to be a cornerstone of American publishing known for editorial excellence and cultural influence.