British American Publishing was established in 1987 with the purpose of publishing a broad range of books. Bernard F. Conners, a former publisher of the distinguished literary quarterly The Paris Review, and George A. Plimpton, the former editor of the magazine, founded the company to publish works of general interest.

A number of titles bear the imprint of Paris Review Editions, which are works of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry selected to support talented emerging writers of the highest quality. British American titles have received national attention from major periodicals, television networks, and radio shows. Four of British American Publishing's titles have been named as The New York Times Most Notable Books of the Year.