Chapman & Hall was a British publishing company that operated in the 19th and 20th centuries. It was founded by William Hall and his brother-in-law Edward Chapman in 1830, and the company initially focused on publishing scientific and technical books. However, over time, Chapman & Hall expanded into other genres, including literature, poetry, and fiction. Some of the notable authors who were published by the company include Charles Dickens, Elizabeth Gaskell, and Mark Twain. In fact, Chapman & Hall published several of Dickens' most famous works, including "Oliver Twist," "Nicholas Nickleby," and "Great Expectations." The company continued to be successful well into the 20th century, but it was eventually absorbed by other publishing companies, including Routledge and Kegan Paul, in the mid-20th century. Despite this, Chapman & Hall remains an important part of the history of British publishing.