M. Lincoln Schuster

M. Lincoln Schuster (March 2, 1897 – December 20, 1970), more commonly known as Max Schuster, was an American book publisher and the co-founder of the publishing company Simon & Schuster. Schuster was instrumental in the creation of Pocketbooks, and the mass paperback industry, along with Richard L. Simon, Robert F. DeGraff and Leon Shimkin. Schuster published many famous works of history and philosophy including the Story of Civilization series of books by Will Durant and Ariel Durant.

Schuster was born on March 2, 1897 in Kaluz, Austria. His parents, Barnet and Esther Stieglitz Schuster, were American citizens and brought Schuster to America at age six weeks. Barnet Schuster ran a stationery and cigar store in Washington Heights, and it was there that Max attended DeWitt Clinton High School. While in high school, Max Schuster adopted "Lincoln" as his middle name to honor his interest in President Abraham Lincoln. Schuster entered college at age 16, and attended the Pulitzer Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University and received a degree in 1917.

Schuster's first job in publishing was as a copy boy for the New York Evening World in 1913. During his time at Columbia University, he was a correspondent for the Boston Evening Transcript,the United Press and he also contributed to various magazines. He later became a member of the United Press Washington staff.

During World War I, Schuster was the chief of publicity for the Bureau of War Risk Insurance at the Treasury Department and an aide to Admiral T. J. Cowle, paymaster general of the Navy. His job was to write pamphlets to support the country's war bond drive.

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