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."Gale Research founder Frederick Ruffner dies at 88" Crain's Detroit Business – Retrieved October 3, 2014"Frederick Ruffner, founder of reference book powerhouse Gale Research, dies at 88" Detroit Free Press. – Retrieved October 3, 2014
Publishing career Ruffner founded Gale Research in 1954 while working as a market researcher for the General Detroit Corporation, a manufacturer of fire extinguishers and fire trucks.
Early Gale publications included the National Directory of Rack JobbersLibrary of Congress LCCN Permalink for 57013216 and the National Directory of Trading Stamp HousesLibrary of Congress LCCN Permalink for 57013217
His first major success was the Encyclopedia of Associations, (originally titled the Encyclopedia of American Associations) in 1956.Library of Congress LCCN Permalink for 59006963 Beginning with the third edition, the title was changed to the Encyclopedia of Associations.Library of Congress LCCN Permalink for 76046129
Other major publications included Contemporary Authors and the Dictionary of Literary Biography.
Ruffner sold Gale to Thomson in 1985.McCracken, Jeffrey. " Gale Research to merge. (merger between Gale Research Co. and The Thompson Group)." Crain's Detroit Business. Crain Communications, Inc. September 21, 1998.
In 1985, Ruffner founded the publishing company Omnigraphics with his son Peter.
In 1986, Ruffner founded the Literary Landmarks Association as a project of Friends of Libraries USA to recognize historic sites related to major literary figures and events. The project continues after the merger of the American Library Trustee Association and Friends of Libraries USA to United for Libraries. "Literary Landmarks – American Library Association"
Ruffner was awarded American Library Association Honorary Membership in 1987.American Library Association's Honorary Member Listing
Military career Ruffner enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of seventeen and fought at Saipan and Okinawa during World War II.
He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Valor and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
See also Encyclopedia of Associations Contemporary Authors Dictionary of Literary Biography
References
External links Gale website Omnigraphics website "General Fire Extinguishers" at Vintage Fire Extinguishers