 The story of this offer was recounted at the bicentennial banquet of the "Encyclopædia Britannica"

The University of Chicago declined the offer, viewing the mission of the university as not entirely consistent with a large commercial publishing house; however it continues even today to be involved in its production, offering editorial advice and allowing its name to be associated with the "Britannica".Thus, in 1943, the wealthy and powerful William Benton, a former U.S. senator and advertising executive, obtained exclusive control of the "Britannica", which he published until his death in 1973.His widow Helen Hemingway Benton continued to publish the "Britannica" until her own death in 1974.