Author - Dr. Frank C. Thompson D.D., Ph. D. was a young preacher in the late 1800s when he became disappointed with the reference Bibles being sold to preachers. Dr. Thompson believed the Bible should be presented in a simple, but scholarly way. He saw the need for a well-organized reference Bible that would be of practical use to the layman as well as a minister.

In 1890, Dr. Thompson began the work he would continue for the rest of his life. He completed the "thought suggestions" opposite the verses throughout the Bible. These are what became the "chain-links" that are the heart of the Thompson system. Some of the men in Dr. Thompson's church saw his Bible and told him this would be a great help to them in their Bible study too. They encouraged Dr. Thompson to have his Bible, with marginal references, published so that everyone could enjoy the blessing of this helpful study tool.

In 1908, the first edition of the Thompson Chain-Reference Bible® was printed by Methodists Book Concern of Dobbs Ferry, New York.

In 1913, Dr. Thompson joined with B.B. Kirkbride in Indianapolis, Indiana to form the Kirkbride Bible Company. This was to assure the constant improvement of this remarkable study tool, and the widest distribution possible.

It takes a full day to assemble a Thompson® Bible and no two Thompson® Bibles are exactly alike. That's because they are so carefully hand-crafted, one at a time, to last a lifetime. No other publisher takes as much care in the selection of leather, paper, ink, gold-foil, and packaging as what goes into your Thompson®.

Rose Publishing, Inc., was founded in 1991, in Torrance, California. They are members of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association and a supplier member of the Christian Booksellers Association. They have no denominational affiliation, but are a conservative evangelical Christian publisher. They would agree with the doctrinal statements of other companies such as Cook Communications or Group Publishing.

Rose Publishing was started by a Sunday school teacher and a public school teacher in 1991. They realized that there were very few good Bible charts, time lines, and maps on the market for their classes and began creating their own. Other teachers started asking for the charts and the company was born.

From those few charts locally, to thousands of loyal customers worldwide today, Rose Publishing is the only Christian publisher that specializes in Bible charts, time lines, and maps. Rose has become known for providing quality products developed by expert authors, including professors and consultants from Wheaton College, Biola University, Dallas Theological Seminary, Moody Bible Institute, Denver Seminary, Central Baptist Theological Seminary, and the Bible Societies.

All of the editors and designers at Rose Publishing are pastors, teachers, or Bible study leaders who test and use the materials themselves. Every year people call and write to request new charts. They pick the topics that are the most important and look for experts who can write solid Bible material in a clear, easy-to-teach way. They specialize in making difficult concepts clear and easy-to-understand for all ages and backgrounds.

Early 1800's      Nelson publishes inexpensive religious and classic works for the "common man."

1829     Nelson launches the first traveling representative to call on bookshops.

1835     William Nelson, Thomas Nelson's nineteen-year-old son joins the company.

1839     Thomas Nelson, Jr. joins the company; management is passed into the brother's hands.

1844     Nelson opens its first London offices.

1850     Thomas Nelson, Jr., invents the rotary press, revolutionizing printing and publishing.

1853     Nelson becomes the largest printing and publishing house in Scotland.

1854     Thomas Nelson, Jr. sails to New York to open their first United States office.

1861     Thomas Nelson, Sr. dies, having seen his dream continued through his sons.

1878     A fire completely destroys the Hope Park headquarters and manufacturing facility.

1887     William Nelson dies just before embarking on a business trip to Greece.

1892     Thomas Nelson, Jr. dies. His sons, Tommy and Ian enter the company.

1901     Nelson introduces the innovative American Standard Version of the Bible.

Early 1900's      George M. Brown, son-in-law to Thomas Nelson, Jr., and John Buchan, noted literary figure, undertake the management of the company. Nelson excels in educational publishing.

1946     Nelson debuts the New Testament of the Revised Standard Version (RSV).

1952     Nelson launches complete RSV. Sales pass 3 million units in two years. Mid-1900's Focus of the company shifts to popular, educational and coffee table books.

1950     Sam Moore immigrates to America to attend college with $600 in his pocket. To pay tuition, Moore sells Bibles door to door.

1958     Moore founds the National Book Company, specializing in door-to-door sales.

1960     Nelson merges with The Thomson Organization, a worldwide publishing and communications firm.

1961     Moore incorporates Royal Publishers, Inc.

1963     Royal Publishers, Inc. publishes its first Bible. Every year from 1964-1968 it experiences a 100 percent growth in sales.

1969     Sam Moore purchases Thomas Nelson Publishers, vowing to return it to its once proud place among the leading publishers of the world.

1976     Nelson initiates the creation of a new Bible translation--The New King James Version

1980's   Nelson reclaims its place as a premier publisher of Bibles and Christian Books, expands into international markets, and establishes Markings® as Nelson's Gift division.

1992     Nelson acquires Word, Inc. one of the world's foremost Christian publishers.

1996     The company launches Tommy Nelson®, a new children's product line.

1998     Thomas Nelson Publishers celebrates 200 years of operation.

2001     The Nelson family grows through the reformation of Word, Inc. into W Publishing Group, and the acquisition of Cool Springs Press and Rutledge Hill Press.

2003     Nelson completes 60,000-foot warehouse expansion.

2003     Thomas Nelson acquires World Bible Publishers.

2003     Fiction division WestBow Press makes its debut.

2004     Sam Moore appoints Mike Hyatt as President and Chief Operating Officer.

2004     Nelson Current, a new political and current-events non-fiction division, debuts.

2005     Mark Schoenwald signs on as Chief Sales Officer.

2005     Tamara Heim joins the Nelson team as Executive Vice President and Chief Publishing Officer.

2005    Mike Hyatt appointed Chief Executive Officer. Sam Moore to continue as Chairman of the Board.