Victor Gollancz Ltd was a British book publishing house of the twentieth century. Founded in 1927 by Victor Gollancz and owned by him until his death in 1967, it specialized in the publication of high quality literature, nonfiction, and popular fiction, including crime, detective, mystery, thriller and science fiction. Gollancz was known as a supporter of left-wing causes which was reflected in many books he published. His loyalties shifted between Liberalism and Communism, but he defined himself as a Christian Socialist and Internationalist. Gollancz used his publishing house chiefly to promote pacifist and socialist non-fiction, as well as a variety of books about sexuality. He also launched the Left Book Club. Gollancz was the original publisher of a number of authors, including George Orwell’s Down and Out in Paris and London (1933), Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca (1938), and John le Carre (‘ accent mark on the e)’s Call for the Dead (1961). After his death, ownership passed to Gollancz’s daughter, Livia, who sold it in 1989. After various transitions, it has been a science fiction imprint of the Orion and Cassell publishing group since 1998.