E. Russell Primm III was a very well known figure in the publishing industry. Having worked with such companies as Children's Press/Franklin Watts, J. G. Ferguson Publishing Co., Capstone, Troll Book Clubs, Rourke, Compass Point, Gareth Stevens, Inc., Foxhound, Heinemann, World Almanac Library, and Library Quarterly, Primm was responsible for thousands of acclaimed books for children. He was the president of Editorial Directions, Inc., a company which assisted publishers in producing nonfiction materials for grades K--12. Like his professional contributions and credits, Primm's educational background was extensive. He was a graduate of both the University of Chicago, Graduate Library School, as well as Loyola University of Chicago. He was affiliated with organizations such as the American Library Association and the Chicago Book Clinic, and was a member of the University of Chicago Publishing Program Advisory Board. Primm had also been known to volunteer at several Chicago area organizations, such as Metro Help, Literacy Volunteers of Chicago, National Runaway Switchboard, Horizons Social Service, Member of Board of Directors, and Gerber Hart Library and Archives.
