Phaidon, a global publisher of the creative arts, was founded in Vienna in 1923 by Dr Bela Horovitz, Frederick ?Fritz? Ungar and Ludwig Goldscheider. They named the company Phaidon (?ai? pronounced ?I?, as in wise) after Phaedo, a Greek philosopher and pupil of Socrates, due to his love of classical culture. The classic Phaidon book was introduced in 1937 on the subjects of Van Gogh, Botticelli and the French Impressionists.

Due to World War II the company was moved to the UK and for the next 14 years books were distributed through George Allen and Unwin Ltd. Following the War they began publishing popular art and educational subjects, including the catalogue of drawings in The Royal Collection at Windsor Castle, and art history pocketbooks.

Phaidon came under new ownership in 2012, expanding the company into visual arts, food and children?s markets.

With Headquarters in London and New York and offices in Paris and Berlin, Phaidon now operates in over 100 countries, publishing books in English, Chinese, French, Spanish, Japanese and German.

In 2023 Phaidon celebrated its 100th anniversary with special events in the US and Europe.