Perthes, Johann Georg Justus (1749–1816)

German publisher. He founded the publishing firm which took his name (Justus Perthes) at Gotha, Germany, in 1785. He was joined in 1814 by his son Wilhelm who eventually took over the business and began producing the geographical publications for which it became famous. Publications include Adolf Stiler's Handatlas (1817–23) and the Almanach de Gotha. Perthes was born in Rudolstadt, Germany.