Sidney B. Kramer papers and library, 1936-2010, bulk 1940-1975

Sidney B. Kramer (1915-2014) was certified public accountant (CPA), attorney, publishing executive, literary agent, and bookstore owner.

Kramer was born in New York City in 1915, the son of Louis and Mildred (née Hindin) Kramer. He graduated from New York University in 1936, and Brooklyn Law School, St. Lawrence University, in 1939. He became a certified public accountant (CPA) in New York in 1939, and was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1940. Kramer practiced law and accounting in New York from 1940-1945. His publishing clients included Penguin Books, Inc., among others.

In 1945, Kramer formed and operated an interim company, Ballantine & Co., with Ian Ballantine and Walter Pitkin, Jr. By its subsequent association with Grosset & Dunlap and Curtis Publishing, Ballantine & Co. became the nucleus of Bantam Books, Inc. During the early years, Kramer's role is described as being "the comptroller and administrative executive" and "secretary-treasurer". Kramer was also a founder of Transworld Publishers, the London subsidiary of Bantam Books, Inc., in 1950, and was a member of its Board of Directors from 1950-1967. Kramer was elected Vice-President of Bantam Books, in 1952, and Senior Vice-President in 1955. He was elected to the company's Board of Directors in 1961. He also served as the managing director of Corgi Books, an imprint of Transworld, in London from 1960-1962. Kramer left Bantam Books, Inc. in early 1967. Kramer became president of the New American Library, a book publishing subsidiary of the Times Mirror Company, in July 1967, and resigned in 1972.

Kramer was involved in publishing consulting and literary legal work outside of Bantam Books and New American Library. He worked as a consultant for Cassell & Collier MacMillan in London, England, from 1972 until approximately 1975. Kramer established the literary agency MEWS Books Ltd., in the 1960s, where he represented children's book authors such as Richard Scarry. Kramer also owned the Remarkable Book Shop in Westport, which was managed by his wife, Esther, for more than 30 years (1962-1994).

Kramer was also active in professional groups related to publishing, as well as legal groups, throughout his career. He was involved in the formation of the National Association of Publishers, which was interested in the distribution of paper bound books through magazine and periodical channels, in the 1940s, and later served as chairman. He was also a member of the Overseas Press Club. Kramer had moved to Westport, CT, in 1950. He was admitted to the Connecticut Bar in 1962, and was active in the Connecticut Bar Association.

Kramer was also involved in local affairs in Westport, CT. He served as chairman of the Democratic Town Committee, and as a member of the Charter Revision Committee. In 1980, he helped found Save Westport Now, and was involved in efforts to preserve Gorham Island. He also wrote a column called "Another Viewpoint" for the Westport News commenting on local life and politics.

Sidney Kramer married Esther Schlansky Kramer (1917-2011) in 1939, and they had two children.

Kramer died in Westport, CT, in December, 2014, six weeks shy of his 100th birthday.