Thames and Hudson Limited was founded in 1949 by Walter and Eva Neurath. The company was founded simultaneously in London and New York, and has functioned as an international publisher and co-publisher of accessible, non-specialist books on art and architecture. One of its best-known projects is the World of Art series, an illustrated paperback series in which over 200 titles have been published.

Australia has been a large export market for Thames and Hudson. The company has published a number of prestigious books on Australian art and culture. In 1970 the company established Thames and Hudson (Australia) Propriety Limited in Melbourne.