Stephen Rubin, Renowned Publisher Behind ‘The Da Vinci Code,’ Passes Away at 81

13

Stephen Rubin, the influential publishing executive known for his knack in identifying bestsellers and his fervor for public life and music, has passed away at the age of 81. Rubin played a pivotal role in the careers of authors such as John Grisham and was instrumental in the release of major titles including “The Da Vinci Code” and “Fire and Fury.”

Rubin passed away in a Manhattan hospital on Friday, succumbing to “a brief and unexpected illness,” as confirmed by his nephew, David Rotter.

Stephen Rubin was an indelible fixture in the book publishing industry, renowned for his distinct voice and stylish appearance complete with tortoiseshell glasses and elegant suits. His diverse network of acquaintances ranged from Jacqueline Kennedy to opera star Beverly Sills. Rubin was also noted for hosting lavish gatherings at his expansive West Side apartment and was a wellspring for industry gossip and keen, sometimes caustic, evaluations of friends, associates, and the broader public sphere.

“His presence was immediately felt when he entered a room,” said Jane Friedman, former CEO of HarperCollins Publishers, in an email to The Big Big News. “Rubin had unyielding convictions and was unwavering in his views.”

Stephen Rubin was initially a journalist for The New York Times before entering the publishing industry in the 1980s. He ascended to leadership roles at Doubleday and Henry Holt and Company, and most recently served as a publishing consultant for Simon & Schuster.

Among Rubin’s numerous landmark projects were Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard’s “Killing” series, Laura Esquivel’s “Like Water for Chocolate,” Mitch Albom’s “Tuesdays With Morrie,” Hilary Mantel’s “Bring Up the Bodies,” and former President George W. Bush’s “Decision Points,” a title Rubin championed at a period when Bush was largely unpopular in the publishing realm.

Rubin had the extraordinary feat of overseeing multiple publishing phenomena. In the early 1990s, Rubin was at Doubleday and took on a then lesser-known John Grisham and his novel “The Firm,” effectively catapulting Grisham into the limelight as the face of courtroom drama novels. “Stephen Rubin was a publisher’s dream—loyal, munificent, and infallible in his judgments,” Grisham remarked.

Years later, Rubin led a highly effective promotional drive for Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code,” a title that would sell over 70 million copies, despite criticisms from some quarters and religious objections. Brown praised Rubin for his unwavering enthusiasm and support, stating, “His belief, encouragement, and friendship have been invaluable to me.”

In 2018, Rubin took another bold step by agreeing to publish Michael Wolff’s “Fire and Fury,” a book that provided an unvarnished look at the Trump presidency and led to significant repercussions within the administration. Rubin described this venture as “the most audacious experience” in his storied career.

Born in New York City, Rubin’s earliest and lifelong love was music, particularly opera. After earning his journalism master’s degree from Boston University—which he later termed financially wasteful—he began his career with UPI and Vanity Fair before profiling artists like Luciano Pavarotti for The New York Times Magazine.

In the mid-1980s, Rubin joined Bantam Books and stayed for six years before moving on to Doubleday. His passion for music remained intact, as he and his late wife Cynthia were instrumental in establishing the Rubin Institute for Music Criticism at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

While Rubin acknowledged that his legacy would likely be defined by his publishing triumphs, especially “The Da Vinci Code,” he took pride in his vast and varied career. In his recently published memoir, “Words and Music,” Rubin mused, “I presume my obituary’s headline will be ‘Publisher of “The Da Vinci Code” passes away’.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Stephen Rubin’s Obituary

More about Stephen Rubin’s Obituary

• Stephen Rubin’s Career Overview
• History of Doubleday Publishing
• John Grisham’s Literary Journey
• Impact of “The Da Vinci Code”
• The “Killing” History Series by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard
• Michael Wolff’s “Fire and Fury”
• Rubin Institute for Music Criticism at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music
• Henry Holt and Company: A Publishing History
• Simon & Schuster: Publisher Profile
• Stephen Rubin’s Memoir “Words and Music”