Imprimis is the monthly speech digest of Hillsdale College, published by the Center for Constructive Alternatives.[1]Salon.com described it as "the most influential conservative publication you've never heard of."[2] Its name is Latin, meaning both 'in the first place' and the second person singular of the verb to print.
Imprimis was founded in 1972 by Clark Durant and George Roche III[3] as a free alumni service.[4]Lew Rockwell was an early editor.[citation needed] Hillsdale's then-President George Roche III initially sent 1,000 issues to "friends of the College."[5] The publication improved Hillsdale's name recognition and did "wonders for out-of-state enrollment" as its circulation "ballooned."[4] By the 1980s, Imprimis and Hillsdale were "closely associated with intellectual ferment on the right".[6]
Imprimis's circulation has grown to 5.5 million as of 2021. It is a free publication but encourages donations. Distribution is no longer limited to alumni.[citation needed]
Imprimis's content consists almost entirely of edited transcripts of speeches delivered by conservative movement leaders at Hillsdale-sponsored events.[2]
In 1991, the dean at Boston University, H. Joachim Maitre, was accused of plagiarizing an Imprimis article by Michael Medved in a commencement address, which led to Maitre's resignation.[7][8]
Imprimis has been praised by conservatives. For instance, Walter E. Williams wrote that Imprimis is "Hillsdale's way of sharing the ideas of the many distinguished speakers invited to their campus. And, I might add, Hillsdale College is one of the few colleges where students get a true liberal arts education, absent the nonsense seen on many campuses."[35]
In contrast, Mark W. Powell, writing in the Toledo Blade, criticized Imprimis for eschewing fact-checking and failing to issue editorial corrections, which he described as part of a pattern of "cavalierism with facts to drive political points."[36] Jordan Smith of Salon offered similar criticisms, citing a piece by Republican representative Paul Ryan that he said repeated a "widely discredited assertion" regarding health care rationing under Obama's health insurance reforms.[2] Kevin D. Williamson at National Review argued that speech transcripts ordinarily aren't fact-checked or verified for the truth of their claims.[37]
^ abcSmith, Jordan (2010-05-13). "The most influential conservative publication you've never heard of". Salon.com. Archived from the original on 2010-05-17. Retrieved 2010-05-13.
^"Q&A with Larry Arnn". C-span.org. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
^ abElaine Underwood (1991-11-11). "Beyond the Wall Pennant: New, Improved Ways To Keep School Ties Strong – and Alumni Writing Checks". Brandweek.
^Daniel J. Williams (2008-04-10). "Imprimis". Hillsdale Collegian. Archived from the original on 2009-02-23. Retrieved 2010-05-13.
^Morgan, Bob (January 4, 1981). "Conservatives: A Well-Financed Network". The Washington Post.
^Fox Butterfield (1991-07-03). "For Dean at Boston U., a Question of Plagiarism". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-05-13.
^Mary B. W. Tabor (1991-07-13). "Boston Dean Quits In Plagiarism Case". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-05-13.
^Jeb Bush (April 1997). "Virtue and the Free Society". Imprimis. Hillsdale College. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
^Riley, Jason L. (March 2022). "The Continuing Importance of Thomas Sowell". Imprimis. 51 (3). Hillsdale College: 1–7. ISSN 0277-8432. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
^Margaret Thatcher (April 2001). "All Beginnings are Hopeful: Challenges Facing the 21st Century". Imprimis. Hillsdale College. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
^Margaret Thatcher (March 1995). "The Moral Foundations of Society". Imprimis. Hillsdale College. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
^Clarence Thomas (October 2007). "A Conversation with Justice Clarence Thomas". Imprimis. Hillsdale College. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
^Clarence Thomas (November 2000). "Never Give In". Imprimis. Hillsdale College. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
^Clarence Thomas (June 1994). "Education: The Second Door to Freedom". Imprimis. Hillsdale College. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
^Tom Wolfe (January 1984). "Idea Fashions of the Eighties: After Marx, What?". Imprimis. Hillsdale College. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
^Walter E. Williams (2007-01-31). "Property rights". Townhall.com. Retrieved 2010-05-13.
^Mark W. Powell (2010-04-18). "Hillsdale disappoints in competence, conduct". The Toledo Blade. Retrieved 2010-05-13.
^Kevin D. Williamson (2010-05-26). "Exciting New Developments in Conservative Anthropology". National Review. Retrieved 2010-06-09.