Former publishing executive Malcolm Magruder died on July 11. He was 89.
Magruder got his start in the industry with Brett-Macmillan Publishing in 1958. He subsequently had a 32-year publishing career with Frederick Praeger Publishers, Walker Publishing, Stein & Day, and William Morrow and Company — where he was director of sales for nearly 10 years and the Southeastern rep for 12 years until his retirement in 1990.
"Malcolm thought the glass was half full even when it was about 60% empty," said Lawrence Hughes, former president of William Morrow. "That enthusiasm was infectious and combined with his deep knowledge of the book trade, was a tremendous asset to William Morrow and by extension, to me in my job."
Magruder is survived by his three sons: Munro, the associate publisher of New World Library; Bruce; and John Stuart.
