WILEY JOHN & SONS INC
DEF 14A, 2000-08-08
BOOKS: PUBLISHING OR PUBLISHING & PRINTING
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION


                Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
               Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.   )

Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_]

Check the appropriate box:

[_]  Preliminary Proxy Statement             [_]  Confidential, For Use of the
[X]  Definitive Proxy Statement                   Commission Only (as permitted
[_]  Definitive Additional Materials              by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[_]  Soliciting Material Pursuant to
     Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12

                             JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)


Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

[X]  No fee required.
[_]  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.


________________________________________________________________________________
1)   Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:


________________________________________________________________________________
2)   Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:


________________________________________________________________________________
3)   Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction  computed  pursuant
     to Exchange  Act Rule 0-11:


________________________________________________________________________________
4)   Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:


________________________________________________________________________________
5)   Total fee paid:

     [_]  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:

     [_]  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
          Rule  0-11(a)(2)  and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
          was paid  previously.  Identify  the previous  filing by  registration
          statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.

          1)   Amount previously paid: _________________________________________

          2)   Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: ___________________

          3)   Filing Party: ___________________________________________________

          4)   Date Filed: _____________________________________________________

----------
*    Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it
     was determined.

<PAGE>

                                                           605 Third Avenue
                                                           New York, NY 10158
                                                           (212) 850-6000


John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

                                                           Bradford Wiley II
                                                           Chairman of the Board

                                                           August 8, 2000

TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS:

     We cordially  invite you to attend the 2000 Annual Meeting of  Shareholders
to be held Thursday,  September 21, 2000 at 9:30 in the morning, at the New York
Helmsley Hotel, Knickerbocker D Suite, 212 East 42nd Street, New York, New York.
The official Notice of Meeting, Proxy Statement, and separate forms of proxy for
Class A and Class B  Shareholders  are enclosed  with this  letter.  The matters
listed in the Notice of Meeting are described in the attached Proxy Statement.

     The Board of  Directors  welcomes and  appreciates  the interest of all our
shareholders in the Company's affairs,  and encourages those entitled to vote at
this  Annual  Meeting  to take the time to do so.  We hope you will  attend  the
meeting,  but whether or not you expect to be  personally  present,  please vote
your shares, either by signing, dating and promptly returning the enclosed proxy
card  (or,  if  you  own  two  classes  of  shares,  both  proxy  cards) in  the
accompanying  post-paid  envelope,  by telephone  using the toll-free  telephone
number  printed  on the  proxy  card,  or by voting  on the  Internet  using the
instructions  printed on the proxy  card.  This will assure that your shares are
represented  at the  meeting.  Even  though  you  execute  this  proxy,  vote by
telephone or via the  Internet,  you may revoke your proxy at any time before it
is exercised by giving  written  notice of  revocation  to the  Secretary of the
Company,  by executing and  delivering a  later-dated  proxy (either in writing,
telephonically  or via the  Internet) or  by  voting  in  person  at the  Annual
Meeting.  If you  attend the  meeting  you will be able to vote in person if you
wish to do so, even if you have  previously  returned your proxy card,  voted by
telephone or via the Internet.

     Your vote is important to us, and we  appreciate  your prompt  attention to
this matter.



                                               Sincerely,


                                               /s/ BRADFORD RILEY II


                                               Chairman of the Board


<PAGE>


  John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158 (212) 850-6000

                            NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING

                                                       of Shareholders
                                                       to be held
                                                       September 21, 2000

To our Shareholders:

     The  Annual  Meeting  of  Shareholders  of John  Wiley &  Sons,  Inc.  (the
"Company") will be held at the New York Helmsley  Hotel,  Knickerbocker D Suite,
212 East 42nd Street,  New York,  New York,  on Thursday,  September 21, 2000 at
9:30 A.M., for the following purposes:

     1. To elect a board  of ten (10)  directors,  of whom  three  (3) are to be
elected by the holders of Class A Common  Stock  voting as a class and seven (7)
are to be elected by the holders of Class B Common Stock voting as a class.

     2. To ratify the  appointment  by the Board of Directors  of the  Company's
independent public accountants for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2001.

     3. To transact such other  business as may properly come before the meeting
or any adjournments thereof.

     Shareholders  of  record  at the  close of  business  on July 25,  2000 are
entitled  to notice of and to vote at the  Annual  Meeting  or any  adjournments
thereof.

     Please vote by proxy in one of these ways:

     o    Use the toll-free  telephone number shown on your proxy card or voting
          instructions  form (if you receive  proxy  materials  from a broker or
          bank);

     o    Visit the Internet website at www.proxyvoting.com/johnwiley; or

     o    Mail,   date,  sign  and  promptly  return  your  proxy  card  in  the
          post-prepaid envelope provided.

                                             BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

                                                     JOSEPHINE A. BACCHI
                                                     Secretary

August 8, 2000
New York, New York


     Your vote is important to us.  Whether or not you plan to be present at the
Annual Meeting, please vote your proxy either via the Internet, by telephone, or
by mail.  Signing and  returning  the proxy card,  voting via the Internet or by
telephone  does not affect your right to vote in person if you attend the Annual
Meeting.

<PAGE>


PROXY  STATEMENT

     This Proxy  Statement is furnished in connection  with the  solicitation by
the Board of Directors of John Wiley & Sons,  Inc. (the "Company") of proxies to
be used at the Annual Meeting of  Shareholders  to be held on September 21, 2000
at the time and place set forth in the accompanying Notice of Meeting and at any
and all adjournments  thereof.  This Proxy Statement and  accompanying  forms of
proxy relating to each class of Common Stock, together with the Company's Annual
Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2000 ("fiscal 2000"),
are being first sent or given to shareholders on August 8, 2000.

     The executive offices of the Company are at 605 Third Avenue, New York, New
York 10158.

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

     |_|  Voting Securities, Record Date, Principal Holders, page 1
     |_|  Certain Information Concerning the Board, page 3
     |_|  Election of Directors, page 4
     |_|  Executive Compensation, page 9
     |_|  Proposal to Ratify Appointment of Independent
          Public Accountants, page 16
     |_|  Manner and Expenses of Solicitation of Proxies, page 16
     |_|  Deadline for Submission of Shareholder Proposals, page 17
     |_|  Other Matters, page 17

I.   Voting Securities -- Record Date -- Principal Holders

     Only  shareholders  of record at the close of business on July 25, 2000 are
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of  Shareholders  on the matters that may
come before the Annual Meeting.

     At the  close  of  business  on July 25,  2000,  there  were  approximately
49,213,285 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Class
A Stock"),  and 11,738,864  shares of Class B Common Stock,  par value $1.00 per
share (the "Class B Stock"), issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, except
for 58,400  shares of Class A Stock which are  restricted  shares and may not be
voted until restrictions lapse (see Summary Compensation Table on page 11).

     The  holders of Class A Stock,  voting as a class,  are  entitled  to elect
three (3) directors,  and the holders of Class B Stock,  voting as a class,  are
entitled to elect seven (7)  directors.  Each  outstanding  share of Class A and
Class B Stock is  entitled  to one vote  for each  Class A or Class B  director,
respectively.  The  presence  in  person  or  by  proxy  of a  majority  of  the
outstanding  shares of Class A or Class B Stock  entitled to vote for  directors
designated as Class A or Class B directors,  as the case may be, will constitute
a quorum  for the  purpose  of  voting to elect  that  class of  directors.  All
elections  shall be  determined  by a  plurality  of the class of shares  voting
thereon.  Only shares that are voted in favor of a  particular  nominee  will be
counted toward such nominee's achievement of a plurality.  Shares present at the
meeting that are not voted for a particular  nominee or shares  present by proxy
where the  shareholder  properly  withheld  authority  to vote for such  nominee
(including   broker  non-votes)  will  not  be  counted  toward  such  nominee's
achievement of a plurality.

     The  holders  of the Class A and Class B Stock  vote  together  as a single
class on all other business that properly comes before the Annual Meeting,  with
each outstanding share of Class A Stock entitled to one-tenth (1/10) of one vote
and each outstanding share of Class B Stock entitled to one vote.

     The ratification of auditors  requires approval by a majority of votes cast
at the Annual  Meeting.  Abstentions  and broker  non-votes  are not  counted in
determining  the votes cast,  but do have the effect of  reducing  the number of
affirmative  votes  required to achieve a majority  for such matters by reducing
the total number of shares from which the majority is calculated.


                                       1
<PAGE>

     The following  table and  footnotes set forth,  at the close of business on
July 25, 2000,  information concerning each person owning of record, or known to
the  Company to own  beneficially,  or who might be deemed to own, 5% or more of
its outstanding shares of Class A or Class B Stock. The table below was prepared
from the  records  of the  Company  and from  information  furnished  to it. The
percent of total voting power reflected below represents the voting power on all
matters other than the election of directors, as described on page 1.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                  Percent of
                                                               Class of     Common Stock           Percent       Total Voting
     Name and Address                                           Stock     Owned Beneficially      of Class          Power
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                               <C>         <C>                   <C>             <C>
Deborah E. Wiley                                                  A           1,400,434              2.8%            0.8%
    605 Third Avenue                                              B           2,781,288             23.7%           16.7%
    New York, New York(1)(2)(4)(5)(6)
Peter Booth Wiley                                                 A           1,381,647              2.8%            0.8%
    605 Third Avenue                                              B           2,716,974             23.1%           16.3%
    New York, New York(1)(2)(3)(5)(6)
Bradford Wiley II                                                 A           1,355,541              2.8%            0.8%
    605 Third Avenue                                              B           2,717,774             23.1%           16.3%
    New York, New York(1)(3)(4)(5)(6)
The Bass Management Trust                                         A           5,614,008             11.4%            3.4%
    and Certain Other Persons                                     B               1,600                --              --
    and Entities
         201 Main Street
         Fort Worth, Texas(7)
GeoCapital Corporation                                            A           4,185,000              8.5%            2.5%
    New York, NY
    Investment Manager(8)
United States Trust Company of                                    A           3,628,782              7.4%            2.2%
    New York  New York, NY
    Investment Manager(8)
Pioneering Management Corporation                                 A           3,600,550              7.3%            2.2%
    Boston, MA
    Investment Manager(8)
Theodore L. Cross and Certain                                     A           2,410,704              4.9%            1.4%
    Other Persons and Entities                                    B           1,251,952             10.6%            7.5%
         200 West 57th Street
         New York, New York(9)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(l)  Bradford Wiley II, Deborah E. Wiley and Peter Booth Wiley,  as co-trustees,
     share voting and investment power with respect to 4,240,624 shares of Class
     B Stock  under  trusts for the  benefit of  Bradford  Wiley II,  Deborah E.
     Wiley, and Peter Booth Wiley. For purposes of this table,  each is shown as
     the owner of one-third of such shares.

(2)  Deborah E. Wiley and Peter Booth Wiley,  as  co-trustees,  share voting and
     investment  power  with  respect  to  875,136  shares  of Class A Stock and
     583,424  shares of Class B Stock  under a trust for the benefit of Bradford
     Wiley  II.  For  purposes  of this  table,  each is shown  as the  owner of
     one-half of such shares.

(3)  Peter Booth Wiley and Bradford Wiley II, as  co-trustees,  share voting and
     investment  power  with  respect  to  875,136  shares  of Class A Stock and
     583,424 shares of Class B Stock under a trust for the benefit of Deborah E.
     Wiley.  For purposes of this table,  each is shown as the owner of one-half
     of such shares.

(4)  Bradford Wiley II and Deborah E. Wiley,  as  co-trustees,  share voting and
     investment  power  with  respect  to  875,136  shares  of Class A Stock and
     583,424  shares  of Class B Stock  under a trust for the  benefit  of Peter
     Booth  Wiley.  For  purposes of this  table,  each is shown as the owner of
     one-half of such shares.



                                       2
<PAGE>

(5)  Bradford  Wiley II,  Deborah E.  Wiley and Peter  Booth  Wiley,  as general
     partners of a limited  partnership,  share voting and investment power with
     respect to 297,680  shares of Class B Stock owned by the  partnership.  For
     purposes of this  table,  each is shown as the owner of  one-third  of such
     shares.

(6)  Bradford Wiley II, Deborah E. Wiley and Peter Booth Wiley,  as co-trustees,
     share voting and investment  power with respect to 55,072 shares of Class A
     Stock  and  36,720  shares  of Class B Stock  under  the Trust of Esther B.
     Wiley. For purposes of this table,  each is shown as the owner of one-third
     of such shares.

(7)  Based on filings with the  Securities and Exchange  Commission  pursuant to
     Regulation  13D of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,  includes The Bass
     Management  Trust,  Perry R. Bass,  Nancy L. Bass, Lee M. Bass, and certain
     other persons.

(8)  Based on filings with the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission,  including
     filings pursuant to Rule 13f-1 of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, and
     other information deemed reliable by the Company.

(9)  Based on filings with the  Securities and Exchange  Commission  pursuant to
     Regulation 13D of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, includes Theodore L.
     Cross,  Mary S.  Cross,  Amanda B.  Cross,  Lisa W.  Pownall-Gray,  and the
     Louisville Charitable Remainder Unit Trust.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

II.  Certain Information Concerning the Board

     The Board of Directors is currently  composed of 9 members.  Two directors,
Bradford Wiley II and Peter Booth Wiley, are brothers.

     The Board met six times during fiscal 2000. Board committees met a total of
nine times during fiscal 2000 and acted once by written  consent.  All incumbent
directors attended at least 88% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board
and of the committees on which such director sat. Below is information regarding
the current standing committees of the Board.

     Executive  Committee.  The Executive  Committee  currently  consists of Dr.
McKinnell as Chairman, and Messrs. Fernald and Pesce. It exercises the powers of
the Board as appropriate in any case where immediate  action is required and the
matter  is such  that an  emergency  meeting  of the full  Board  is not  deemed
necessary or possible. The Committee did not meet during fiscal 2000.

     Audit  Committee.  The Audit Committee  currently  consists of Dr. Baker as
Chairman, and Messrs.  Franklin and Marion. It assists the Board of Directors in
fulfilling  its  fiduciary  responsibilities  with  respect  to  the  accounting
policies,  internal  controls  and  reporting  practices  of the Company and its
subsidiaries, and the sufficiency of auditing relative thereto. It recommends to
the Board the firm of independent  public  accountants which is to be engaged to
audit the books and records of the Company,  and reviews with management and the
outside  auditors the Company's  financial  statements and the auditors'  report
thereon.  The  Committee  also  maintains  financial  oversight of the Company's
employees'  retirement and other benefit plans, and makes recommendations to the
Board with respect to such matters. The Committee met twice during fiscal 2000.

     Governance and  Compensation  Committee.  The  Governance and  Compensation
Committee currently consists of Dr. Sutherland as Chairman, and Messrs. Fernald,
McKinnell,  and P. Wiley. It assists the Board in the selection of Board members
and in  making  the Board as  effective  as  possible  through  suggestions  and
periodic  evaluations.  The  Committee  evaluates the  performance  of the chief
executive officer and reports its  recommendations  to the Board. It reviews and
approves  the  principles  and policies for  compensation  and benefit  programs
company-wide,  and  monitors  the  implementation  and  administration  of  such
programs;  oversees  compliance  with  governmental  regulations  and accounting
standards  with  respect to  employee  compensation  and benefit  programs;  and
monitors  executive   development   practices  in  order  to  insure  succession
alternatives for the  organization.  The Committee also grants options and makes
awards under the Long Term Incentive  Plan. The Committee met seven times during
fiscal 2000.

                                       3
<PAGE>

Directors' Compensation

     Non-employee  directors receive an annual retainer of $15,000 and committee
chairmen receive an additional annual retainer of $3,000. Non-employee directors
receive $1,500 per meeting for attendance at each Board or committee meeting and
$1,500 per diem for special assignments performed at the request of the Company.
Directors  who are  employees  do not  receive an annual  retainer  or a fee for
attendance at Board or committee meetings.

     Under  the  Company's  1990  Director  Stock  Plan (the  "Director  Plan"),
non-employee  directors  receive an automatic  annual award of shares of Class A
Stock  equal in value to 50 percent of the total  cash  compensation,  excluding
expense  reimbursement,  received  by such  directors.  The shares are valued at
their  closing  price on the date of the annual  shareholders  meeting or, if no
shares were traded on such date, on the next  preceding date on which the shares
were so traded.  The total  number of shares  awarded  in fiscal  2000 was 7,249
Class A shares at the per share  market  value of  $17.4375.  Under the Director
Plan,  eligible  directors  may also elect to receive  all or a portion of their
cash  compensation  in the form of Class A Stock.  Seven of the  eight  eligible
directors currently have made this election.

     The Company also has a Deferred  Compensation Plan for Directors' Fees (the
"Deferred Plan"), in which  non-employee  directors are eligible to participate.
The  purpose  of  the  Deferred  Plan  is to  provide  eligible  directors  with
flexibility in their tax planning.  Four directors currently  participate in the
Deferred Plan.

Insurance with Respect to Indemnification of Directors and Officers

     The By-Laws of the Company  provide for  indemnification  of directors  and
officers in connection  with claims arising from service to the Company,  to the
extent permitted under the New York State Business  Corporation Law. The Company
carries  insurance in the amount of $20,000,000 with Chubb Insurance Company and
the National  Union  Insurance  Company at an annual  premium of  $103,000.  The
current  policy  expires on November 14, 2001. No sums have been paid under this
policy.

III. Election of Directors

     Ten (10)  directors  are to be elected to hold office until the next Annual
Meeting of  Shareholders,  or until their  successors are elected and qualified.
Unless contrary  instructions are indicated or the proxy is previously  revoked,
it is the intention of  management to vote proxies  received for the election of
the persons named below as  directors.  Directors of each class are elected by a
plurality  of votes  cast by that  class.  If you do not wish your  shares to be
voted for particular  nominees,  please so indicate in the space provided on the
proxy card, or follow the  directions  given by the telephone  voting service or
the Internet voting site. THE HOLDERS OF CLASS A STOCK ARE ENTITLED TO ELECT 30%
OF THE ENTIRE BOARD.  AS A  CONSEQUENCE,  THREE (3) DIRECTORS WILL BE ELECTED BY
THE HOLDERS OF CLASS A STOCK. THE HOLDERS OF CLASS B STOCK ARE ENTITLED TO ELECT
SEVEN (7) DIRECTORS.

     All the nominees are currently  directors of the Company,  and were elected
to their present terms of office at the Annual Meeting of  Shareholders  held in
September  1999,  except for John L. Marion,  Jr. who was elected on November 1,
1999 by the Class A directors to fill the vacancy  created by the resignation of
Thomas M. Taylor on October 29, 1999,  and Naomi Seligman who has been nominated
by the Board as a Class B director. Gary J. Fernandes was a director since 1989,
and a member of the Audit Committee until his resignation from the Board on June
14, 2000.  Except as otherwise  indicated  below,  all of the nominees have been
engaged in their present principal  occupations or in executive  capacities with
the same employers for more than the past five years.

     Bradford  Wiley II, William J. Pesce and Josephine A. Bacchi have agreed to
represent  shareholders  submitting proper proxies by mail, via the Internet, or
by telephone, and to vote for the election of the nominees listed herein, unless
otherwise  directed by the authority  granted or withheld on the proxy cards, by
telephone or via the Internet.  Although the Board of Directors has no reason to
believe  that any of the  persons  named  below as  nominees  will be  unable or
decline to serve, if any such person is unable or declines to serve, the persons
named above may vote for another person at their discretion.



                                       4
<PAGE>

               Directors to be Elected by Class A Shareholders
               -----------------------------------------------------------------

[PHOTO]        Larry Franklin,  a director since 1994,  became  Chairman,  Chief
               Executive   Officer  and  Director  of   Harte-Hanks,   Inc.,  an
               international   direct  marketing   company,   on  May  5,  1999.
               Previously,  he  was  President,   Chief  Executive  Officer  and
               Director. He is a Director of United Way of San Antonio and Bexar
               County, and Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research. Age 58.

[PHOTO]        Henry A.  McKinnell,  a director since 1996, has been  President,
               Pfizer,  Inc., a  research-based  pharmaceutical  firm, since May
               1999, and President, PPG Pfizer's global pharmaceutical business,
               since  January  1996.  Previously,  he served as  Executive  Vice
               President  and Chief  Financial  Officer  of  Pfizer,  Inc.,  and
               President of Pfizer's Medical Technology Group from 1993 to 1995.
               He is a Director of Pfizer,  Inc., and Dun & Bradstreet,  Inc. He
               is Vice Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers
               of America, and Chairman of the Business-Higher  Education Forum.
               He is also a Trustee of the New York  Police  Foundation  and the
               New York Public Library. Age 57.


[PHOTO]        John L.  Marion,  Jr., a director  since 1999,  is an  investment
               advisor with McVeigh & Co., an investment consulting company, and
               has been  associated  with various  members of the Bass family of
               Fort Worth, Texas since 1990. Age 39.

               Directors to be Elected by Class B Shareholders
               -----------------------------------------------------------------

[PHOTO]        Warren J. Baker,  a director  since 1993,  has been  President of
               California  Polytechnic  State  University  since  1979 and was a
               Member of the National  Science Board from 1985 to 1994. He was a
               Regent  of the  American  Architectural  Foundation  from 1995 to
               1998,  and was Chair of the Board of  Directors of the ASCE Civil
               Engineering Research Foundation from 1989 to 1991. He is a Fellow
               of the American Society of Civil Engineers; a Member of the Board
               of Directors of the California Council on Science and Technology;
               and  Co-Chair  of  the   California   Joint  Policy   Council  on
               Agriculture and Higher Education. Age 62.

[PHOTO]        H. Allen  Fernald,  a director since 1979, is President and Chief
               Executive  Officer of Down East Enterprise,  Inc., a magazine and
               book  publisher.  He is a member and past Chair of the University
               of Maine  President's  Council,  and Vice  Chair of the  Board of
               Visitors;  a Director  of United  Publishing,  Inc.;  Sun Journal
               Publishing, Inc.; Foreside Company, Inc.; and University of Maine
               Press. Age 68.



                                       5
<PAGE>

               Directors to be Elected by Class B Shareholders
               -----------------------------------------------------------------

[PHOTO]        William J. Pesce has been President and Chief  Executive  Officer
               and a  director  since  May  1,  1998.  He was  previously  Chief
               Operating  Officer  since May  1997;  Executive  Vice  President,
               Educational and International Group since February 1996; and Vice
               President,  Educational  Publishing since September 1989. He is a
               Member of the Board of Overseers, The Stern School of Business at
               New  York   University,   and  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the
               Association of American Publishers. Age 49.

[PHOTO]        Naomi  Seligman,  a first time nominee for director,  is a senior
               partner  and  co-founder  of  Cassius   Advisors,   a  management
               consulting firm, since 1999. Previously, she was a co-founder and
               senior  partner of The Research  Board for two decades.  She is a
               member  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  Asera,   Inc.;  Dun  &
               Bradstreet,  Inc.; Exodus  Communications;  Martha Stewart Living
               Omnimedia; Oblix; Sun Microsystems and Ventro, Inc. She is also a
               trustee of the Boston Museum of Science,  a member of the Merrill
               Lynch Technology Advisory Board, and a member of the Committee of
               200. Age 67.

[PHOTO]        William R. Sutherland,  a director since 1987, is Vice President,
               Sun  Microsystems,  Inc., a manufacturer of network and computing
               equipment, and was the Director of Sun Microsystems  Laboratories
               from July 1993 to October 1998. He was previously Deputy Director
               since  March  1991,   and  was  Vice   President  and  Treasurer,
               Sutherland  Sproull  &  Associates,   Inc.,  an  information  and
               technology   consulting   firm.  He  is  a  partner  in  Advanced
               Technology  Ventures,  a  venture  capital  firm,  and  a  former
               Director of Newmarket Venture Capital, PLC. Age 64.

[PHOTO]        Bradford  Wiley II, a director  since 1979,  has been Chairman of
               the Board since  January  1993,  and was an editor in the College
               Division  from  1989  to  1998.  He was  previously  a  newspaper
               journalist, viticulturist and winery manager. Age 59.

[PHOTO]        Peter  Booth  Wiley,  a  director  since  1984,  is an author and
               journalist. He is a Member of the Board of the Friends of the San
               Francisco Public Library,  and a member of the Boards of the Data
               Center, and Schoolwise Press. Age 57.



                                       6
<PAGE>

Beneficial Ownership of Directors and Management

     Set forth below are the shares of the  Company's  Class A and Class B Stock
beneficially owned by the current directors, and the executive officers named in
the  Summary  Compensation  Table  on page 11 and all  directors  and  executive
officers  of the  Company as a group as of July 25,  2000.  The percent of total
voting power  reflected  below  represents the voting power on all matters other
than the election of directors, as described on page 1.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Shares of                                                                Percent
                                  Class A and           Additional                                            of
                                 Class B Stock            Shares                              Percent        Total     Deferred
                                 Beneficially          Beneficially                              of          Voting     Stock
                                   Owned(1)              Owned(2)               Totals        Class(1)       Power     Units(3)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>                    <C>                  <C>                <C>           <C>          <C>
Warren J. Baker                  A     12,101                                A     12,101         --            --          736
                                 B         --                                B         --         --            --

H. Allen Fernald                 A     36,706                                A     36,706         --            --
                                 B      5,440                                B      5,440         --            --

Larry Franklin                   A     19,490                                A     19,490         --            --          883
                                 B         --                                B         --         --            --

Timothy B. King(4)               A     78,079           A     87,076         A    165,155        0.3%          0.1%
                                 B         --                                B         --         --            --

Stephen A. Kippur(4)             A    188,924           A    150,544         A    339,468        0.7%          0.2%
                                 B         --                                B         --         --            --

John L. Marion, Jr.              A     13,800                                A     13,800         --            --          883
                                 B         --                                B         --         --            --

Henry A. McKinnell               A     16,216                                A     16,216         --            --        1,383
                                 B         --                                B         --         --            --

William J. Pesce(4)              A    310,073           A    233,436         A    543,509        1.1%          0.3%
                                 B         --                                B         --         --            --

Richard S. Rudick(4)             A    312,637           A     74,748         A    387,385        0.8%          0.2%
                                 B     56,576                                B     56,576        0.5%          0.3%

William R. Sutherland            A     35,522                                A     35,522         --            --
                                 B         --                                B         --         --            --

Robert D. Wilder(4)              A    137,312           A    122,308         A    259,620        0.5%          0.2%
                                 B      6,400                                B      6,400         --            --

Bradford Wiley II
  (5)(6)(8)(9)(10)(11)           A  1,355,541                                A  1,355,541        2.8%          0.8%
                                 B  2,717,774                                B  2,717,774       23.1%         16.3%

Peter Booth Wiley
  (5)(6)(7)(8)(10)(11)           A  1,381,647                                A  1,381,647        2.8%          0.8%
                                 B  2,716,974                                B  2,716,974       23.1%         16.3%

All directors and executive      A  5,445,691           A    811,474         A  6,257,165       12.5%          3.7%
officers as a group              B  8,284,494                                B  8,284,469       70.6%         49.4%
(16 persons)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                       7
<PAGE>

(1)  In the  table,  percent  of class  was  calculated  on the  basis of shares
     beneficially  owned as determined  in accordance  with Rule 13d-3 under the
     Securities   Exchange  Act  of  1934,   compared  with  shares  issued  and
     outstanding  plus shares which might be issued  pursuant to the exercise of
     certain  options.  This table is based on the  information  provided by the
     individual directors or executives.

(2)  Options  exercisable  under the  Company's  stock option plans which may be
     acquired on or before October 7, 2000.

(3)  This  amount  represents  the  number  of  shares  of Class A Common  Stock
     credited to the participating  director's  account pursuant to the Deferred
     Compensation Plan for Directors' Fees, described on page 4. The shares will
     be issued upon the director's retirement.

(4)  Includes Class A shares of restricted  stock subject to forfeiture  awarded
     under the Company's  long-term  incentive  plans (see Summary  Compensation
     Table,  footnote (a), page 12) as follows:  Mr. Pesce - 145,774 shares; Mr.
     Kippur - 44,772;  Mr. Wilder - 8,246 shares; Mr. Rudick - 20,526 shares and
     Mr. King - 20,785 shares.


(5)  Bradford  Wiley II and Peter Booth Wiley,  as  co-trustees  with Deborah E.
     Wiley,  share voting and investment  power with respect to 4,240,624 shares
     of Class B Stock under trusts for the benefit of Bradford Wiley II, Deborah
     E. Wiley, and Peter Booth Wiley. For purposes of this table,  each is shown
     as the owner of one-third of such shares.

(6)  The totals shown for Bradford Wiley II and Peter Booth Wiley do not include
     354,480  shares of Class B Stock  which  they have the right to  acquire in
     exchange  for  Class  A  Stock  from  certain  persons  upon  any  proposed
     disposition of such Class B Stock,  upon the deaths of such persons or upon
     termination of a trust.

(7)  Peter Booth Wiley, as co-trustee  with Deborah E. Wiley,  shares voting and
     investment  power  with  respect  to  875,136  shares  of Class A Stock and
     583,424  shares of Class B Stock  under a trust for the benefit of Bradford
     Wiley II. For  purposes  of this  table,  Peter Booth Wiley is shown as the
     owner of one-half of such shares.

(8)  Peter Booth Wiley and Bradford Wiley II, as  co-trustees,  share voting and
     investment  power  with  respect  to  875,136  shares  of Class A Stock and
     583,424 shares of Class B Stock under a trust for the benefit of Deborah E.
     Wiley.  For purposes of this table,  each is shown as the owner of one-half
     of such shares.

(9)  Bradford Wiley II, as co-trustee  with Deborah E. Wiley,  shares voting and
     investment  power  with  respect  to  875,136  shares  of Class A Stock and
     583,424  shares  of Class B Stock  under a trust for the  benefit  of Peter
     Booth Wiley. For purposes of this table,  Bradford Wiley II is shown as the
     owner of one-half of such shares.

(10) Bradford  Wiley II and Peter Booth Wiley,  as  co-trustees  with Deborah E.
     Wiley,  share voting and investment  power with respect to 55,072 shares of
     Class A Stock and 36,720  shares of Class B Stock under the Trust of Esther
     B.  Wiley.  For  purposes  of this  table,  each is shown  as the  owner of
     one-third of these shares.

(11) Bradford  Wiley II and Peter B.  Wiley,  as general  partners  of a limited
     partnership  with Deborah E. Wiley,  share voting and investment power with
     respect to 297,680  shares of Class B Stock owned by the  partnership.  For
     purposes of this  table,  each is shown as the owner of  one-third  of such
     shares.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

     Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's
officers  and  directors,  and  persons  who own  more  than  ten  percent  of a
registered  class  of the  Company's  equity  securities,  to  file  reports  of
ownership and changes in ownership with the  Securities and Exchange  Commission
and the New York  Stock  Exchange.  Officers,  directors  and  greater  than ten
percent  shareholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with
copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

     Based on its review of the copies of such forms  received by it, or written
representations from certain reporting persons that no Forms 5 were required for
those  persons,  the  Company  believes  that  during  fiscal  2000,  all filing
requirements applicable to its officers,  directors and greater than ten percent
beneficial owners were complied with.



                                       8
<PAGE>


IV.  Executive Compensation

Executive Compensation Policies. The Company's executive compensation program is
administered  by the  Governance  and  Compensation  Committee  of the  Board of
Directors  (the  "Committee")  composed  of  four  non-employee  directors.  The
objectives which guide the Committee in formulating its recommendations are to:

Report of the Governance and Compensation Committee

     o    Attract and retain  executives of the highest  caliber by compensating
          them at levels which are competitive in the market place.

     o    Motivate and reward such executives based on corporate,  business unit
          and individual  performance through  compensation systems and policies
          which include variable incentives.

     o    Align executives' and shareholders' interests through awards of equity
          components  dependent  upon the  performance  of the  Company  and the
          operating  divisions,  as well as the  individual  performance of each
          executive.

     Annually  the  Committee  reviews a  compensation  survey as a guidepost to
determine whether the Company's compensation levels and programs are competitive
and meet the Committee's stated  objectives.  The most recent survey compiled by
Towers Perrin includes publishing companies regarded as comparable and for which
comparable  data are  available,  as well as other  companies  in the  northeast
region  of the  United  States  more  comparable  in  size to the  Company.  The
Committee  establishes and informs the Board of the total targeted  compensation
and  the  proportion  of the  various  components  of the  compensation  program
including salary and targeted annual and long-term  incentives,  based upon each
executive's role in the Company and level of responsibilities.

     The Committee  believes  that  ordinarily it is in the best interest of the
Company  to retain  flexibility  in its  compensation  programs  to enable it to
appropriately  reward,  retain and attract  executive  talent  necessary  to the
Company's success. To the extent such goals can be met with compensation that is
designed to be deductible  under Section 162(m) of the Internal  Revenue Code of
1986,  as amended (the  "Code"),  such as the Long Term  Incentive  Plan and the
Executive  Annual Incentive Plan, each approved by the shareholders in September
1999, such compensation plans will be used.  However,  the Committee  recognizes
that in appropriate  circumstances,  compensation  that is not deductible  under
Section 162(m) may be paid at the Committee's discretion.

Annual Executive  Compensation.  Annual  executive  compensation is comprised of
base salary and, if earned,  a variable cash incentive.  The annual incentive is
based on the achievement of quantitative financial performance goals, as well as
individual  non-quantitative  objectives.  Targeted annual incentives for fiscal
2000  range  from 70% of  salary  for Mr.  Pesce  and from 45% to 60% for  other
executives.  At the beginning of each fiscal year, the Committee establishes the
base salaries, the targeted incentives,  the financial performance measures, and
objectives on which incentives may be earned, including the threshold or minimum
level  of  performance  below  which  no  incentives  will be  paid.  Divisional
performance  measures  and  targets  are also set for  certain  executives  with
divisional as well as corporate responsibilities.

     At the end of the fiscal year, the Committee evaluates  performance against
the  financial  goals and  individual  objectives,  and approves and informs the
Board of the annual payout, if any, for each executive. No incentive is payable,
regardless  of whether  individual  objectives  are met or exceeded,  unless the
threshold is reached on at least one  financial  measure.  Payouts,  if any, can
range from 25% to 175% of the targeted incentive depending upon the level of the
achievement of financial goals and individual  objectives  between threshold and
outstanding  levels of performance.  In fiscal 2000 on a weighted average basis,
performance against financial goals was substantially above target.

Long Term Executive Compensation. The long-term component of the compensation is
comprised of (i) a targeted variable incentive payable in cash and/or restricted
performance  shares,  and (ii)  stock  option  grants  of Class A Stock.  At the
beginning  of each fiscal year a new  three-year  cycle  begins.  The  Committee
establishes  for  participants in the long-term plan the number of stock options
to be granted,  the targeted incentive,  the financial  performance measures and
goals, and threshold and outstanding levels of performance that must be achieved
by the Company and, where  relevant,  the division for which the  participant is
responsible.



                                       9
<PAGE>

     At  the  end  of the  three  fiscal-year  cycle,  the  Committee  evaluates
performance  against the financial goals and determines the  appropriate  payout
for  each  executive  and the  portion  to be paid  in  cash  and/or  restricted
performance  shares.  No long term  incentive is payable unless the threshold is
reached  on at least one  financial  measure.  Payouts,  if any,  to  individual
executives can range from 25% to 200% of the targeted  incentive  depending upon
the level of aggregate  achievement between the threshold and outstanding levels
of financial performance.

     Option grants are generally  awarded on an annual basis,  have terms of ten
years and generally  vest as to 50% in the fourth year and 50% in the fifth year
from the date of grant.  All employees' stock options have exercise prices which
are equal to the current market price of Class A Stock as of the grant date. The
ultimate  value  of the  stock  option  grants  is  aligned  with  increases  in
shareholder  value and is dependent upon increases in the market price per share
over and above the grant price.  In fiscal 2000, all  executives,  including Mr.
Pesce, received approximately 70% of their targeted long term incentive in stock
option awards.

Chief Executive Officer  Compensation.  Based on the Governance and Compensation
Committee's   performance   evaluation   review  of  Mr.  Pesce,  the  Committee
recommended  and the Board  approved a base salary  increase  for fiscal 2000 of
8.9%  ($450,000  to  $490,000)  and  an  annual  incentive  award  of  $577,218,
representing 54% of the total annual compensation.

     The performance  review reflected the Company  substantially  exceeding its
financial goals, as well as certain  strategic  goals,  including the successful
acquisitions  of Jossey-Bass  and the Pearson  College  titles,  and Mr. Pesce's
contribution to those achievements.

     Mr. Pesce also received a long term compensation payout of 54,400 shares of
restricted  performance stock with the restrictions lapsing as to 50% at the end
of fiscal 2001 and 2002,  respectively.  This payout was based on the  Company's
performance  against income and cash flow goals.  During fiscal 2000, Mr. Pesce,
as part of his long term  compensation  plan,  received  a grant of  options  to
purchase 100,000 shares of Class A Stock, exercisable as to 50,000 shares on and
after April 30, 2003, and 50,000 on and after April 30, 2004, at an option price
of $20.5625 per share, the market price at date of grant.

     In  approving  the  compensation  reflected  in the  tables on page 11, the
Committee  considered the Company's strong financial  performance  during fiscal
2000 and Mr. Pesce's achievement of important strategic objectives.

     Governance and Compensation Committee

                         William R. Sutherland, Chairman
           H. Allen Fernald      Peter B. Wiley      Henry A. McKinnell


                                       10
<PAGE>

Performance Graph

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Cumulative Total Return - INDEXED


 [THE FOLLOWING TABLE WAS REPRESENTED BY A LINE CHART IN THE PRINTED MATERIAL.]

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    1995       1996       1997       1998       1999       2000
                                  --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
<S>                               <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Class A   $ 100.00   $ 123.21   $ 107.59   $ 197.17   $ 288.84   $ 246.43
Dow Jones World
     Publishing Index               100.00     128.98     145.58     216.28     231.74     236.05
Russell 1000                        100.00     128.24     153.64     214.60     254.85     282.83
Russell 2000                        100.00     130.85     128.87     181.42     162.61     190.20
</TABLE>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The  above  graph  provides  an  indicator  of the  cumulative  total  return to
shareholders  of the  Company's  Class A  Common  Stock  as  compared  with  the
cumulative  total return on the Russell 2000, the Russell 1000 and the Dow Jones
World Publishing Index, for the period from April 30, 1995 to April 30, 2000.The
Company  has elected to use the Russell  1000 Index as its broad  equity  market
index, because it is now included as part of that index. Previously, the Company
was included as part of the Russell 2000 Index.  Cumulative total return assumes
$100 invested on April 30, 1995 and  reinvestment  of dividends  throughout  the
period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary Compensation Table

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               Long Term Compensation
                                                                       ------------------------------------
                                           Annual Compensation                 Awards             Payouts
                                       ------------------------------  ------------------------  ----------
                                                              Other
                                                              Annual   Restricted   Securities               All Other
Name and                                                     Compen-     Stock      Underlying     LTIP      Compen-
Principal Position              Year    Salary      Bonus     sation    Awards(a)   Option/SARs  Payouts(b)  sation(c)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>    <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>
William J. Pesce                2000   $483,846   $577,218   $   0      $948,600     100,000      $   --     $  5,169
President, Chief Executive      1999    448,615    478,444       0       168,786     183,200      $ 63,648   $  5,215
Officer and Director            1998    359,308    270,600       0       138,604      88,764        35,301      5,423

Stephen A. Kippur               2000    324,692    311,555       0       296,159      29,000          --        8,042
Executive Vice President        1999    310,152    228,440       0        86,585      57,200        36,427      7,623
and President,                  1998    298,460    188,303       0       150,565      57,348        38,354      7,854
Professional/Trade(d)

Robert D. Wilder                2000    273,154    237,515       0       206,181      24,000          --        6,781
Executive Vice President        1999    261,000    186,910       0        94,401      40,000        35,597      5,224
and Chief Financial and         1998    246,923    138,927       0       150,509      39,892        38,335      7,408
Operations Officer

Richard S. Rudick               2000    204,769    145,571       0       121,086      14,000          --        4,874
Senior Vice President           1999    196,769    112,572       0        55,884      23,600        21,064      4,655
and General Counsel             1998    188,154     83,327       0        77,525      23,436        19,748      4,925

Timothy B. King                 2000    183,154    133,229       0       121,086      16,000          --        4,966
Senior Vice President,          1999    171,769    105,106       0        58,270      23,600        21,972      4,524
Planning & Development(e)       1998    203,221     72,858       0        70,215      23,436        17,880     18,020
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

The above table sets forth, for the fiscal years indicated,  the compensation of
the CEO and the four other most  highly  compensated  executive  officers of the
Company.

                                       11
<PAGE>

(a)  When awards of restricted  stock are made  pursuant to the  Company's  long
     term incentive plans, the Committee may establish a period during which the
     Class A shares of restricted  stock shall be subject to forfeiture in whole
     or  in  part  if  specified  objectives  or  considerations  are  not  met.
     Restricted stock awards were made for achievement of financial  performance
     objectives  for the  respective  three-year  periods  ended April 30, 2000,
     April 30, 1999 and April 30,  1998.  Other than stock issued for the period
     ended  April  30,  1998,  the  stock is  non-voting  and not  eligible  for
     dividends until restrictions lapse. Restrictions lapse as to 50% at the end
     of the first and second fiscal year, respectively, after the fiscal year in
     which awarded.  Restricted  stock awards reflect the market value as of the
     fiscal year-end indicated.  Aggregate restricted stock holdings as of April
     30, 2000 were as follows:  Mr. Pesce - 141,618 shares valued at $2,469,464;
     Mr. Kippur - 67,263 shares valued at $1,172,899; Mr. Wilder - 59,593 shares
     valued at  $1,039,153;  Mr. Rudick - 18,708 shares valued at $326,221;  and
     Mr. King - 18,762 shares valued at $327,162.

(b)  Under the Company's long term incentive plans,  cash was not a component of
     the long term plan for the period  ended  April 30,  2000,  but cash awards
     were made for the achievement of financial  performance  objectives for the
     respective  periods  ended April 30,  1999 and 1998,  as  described  in the
     report of the Governance and Compensation  Committee under the heading Long
     Term Executive Compensation on page 11.

(c)  Represents matching Company  contributions to the Employee Savings Plan and
     the Deferred Compensation Plan.

(d)  Executive Vice President and President, Professional/Trade Publishing Group
     effective  July 27, 1998;  Executive  Vice  President and Group  President,
     Professional, Reference and Trade Group prior to July 27, 1998.

(e)  Mr.  King's 1998  compensation  includes an  additional  payment of $52,517
     related to a temporary assignment with a foreign subsidiary of the Company.


Option/SAR Grants in Last Fiscal Year
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Individual Grants (a)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------            Potential Realizable
                                        % of Total                                                  Value at Assumed
                      Number of       Options/SARs                                               Annual Rates of Stock
                     Securities         Granted to                                            Appreciation for Option Term
                 Underlying Options/    Employees     Exercise or      Expiration           ------------------------------
Name                SARs Granted      in Fiscal Year   Base Price         Date (b)               5%                10%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                     <C>                <C>          <C>             <C>                  <C>               <C>
William J. Pesce        100,000            23.8%        $20.5625        June 22, 2009        $1,292,717        $3,275,740
Stephen A. Kippur        29,000             6.9%        $20.5625        June 22, 2009           374,888           949,965
Robert D. Wilder         24,000             5.7%        $20.5625        June 22, 2009           310,252           786,178
Richard S. Rudick        14,000             3.3%        $20.5625        June 22, 2009           180,980           458,604
Timothy B. King          16,000             3.8%        $20.5625        June 22, 2009           206,835           524,118
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

The above  table  shows  potential  realizable  value at  assumed  annual  stock
appreciation  rates of 5% and 10% over the  ten-year  term of the  options.  The
rates of  appreciation  are as  required  to be  stated  by the  Securities  and
Exchange  Commission  and are not intended to forecast  possible  future  actual
appreciation,  if any, in the Company's stock price.  Future gains, if any, will
depend on actual future appreciation in the market price.

(a)  The Company has in effect three  shareholder  approved plans, each of which
     relates to Class A shares:  the 1987 Incentive Stock Option and Performance
     Stock Plan,  the 1991 Key Employee  Stock Plan, and the Long Term Incentive
     Plan.  The  exercise  price  of all  stock  options  is  determined  by the
     Committee  and may not be less than 100 percent of the fair market value of
     the  stock  on the  date  of  grant  of the  options.  The  Committee  also
     determines  at the time of grant the period and  conditions  for vesting of
     stock options.  In the event of a change of control, as defined on page 15,
     all outstanding options shall become immediately exercisable up to the full
     number  of  shares  covered  by the  option.  No  option  grants  have SARs
     associated with the grants, and no SARs were granted during fiscal 2000.

(b)  Options are subject to earlier  termination in certain  events  relating to
     termination of employment.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aggregated Option/SAR Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year-End Option/SAR Values

                                                        Number of Securities                  Value of Unexercised
                                                        Underlying Unexercised             In-the-Money Options/SARs
                                                   Options/SARs at Fiscal Year-End           at Fiscal Year-End (b)
                   Shares Acquired    Value        -------------------------------       ------------------------------
Name                 on Exercise   Realized (a)    Exercisable       Unexercisable       Exercisable      Unexercisable
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                     <C>          <C>             <C>                <C>              <C>               <C>
William J. Pesce        64,000       $996,000        233,436            798,012          $2,651,290        $3,101,549
Stephen A. Kippur            0              0        137,612            225,336           1,881,844         1,533,223
Robert D. Wilder             0              0        123,360            158,828           1,698,114         1,048,722
Richard S. Rudick       41,520        607,515         54,820             92,264             739,361           605,538
Timothy B. King         40,000        500,260         67,476             94,424             934,335           606,679
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

The above table  provides  information  as to options  exercised  by each of the
named  executive  officers  during  fiscal  2000 and the value of the  remaining
options held by each executive  officer at year end,  measured using the closing
price of $17.4375  for the  Company's  Class  A Common  Stock on April 30, 2000.


                                       12
<PAGE>

(a)  Market value of underlying shares at exercise minus the option price.

(b)  Market  value of  underlying  shares at fiscal  year-end  minus the  option
     price. These values are presented pursuant to SEC rules. The actual amount,
     if any,  realized  upon  exercise  will depend upon the market price of the
     Class A shares  relative  to the  exercise  price  per  share of the  stock
     options at the time of exercise.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long Term Incentive Plans -- Awards in Last Fiscal Year

                                                                              Estimated Future Payouts
                                                                        under Non-Stock Priced-Based Plans (a)(b)
                         Number of             Performance or           ----------------------------------------
                      Shares, Units or       Other Periods Until          Threshold     Target      Maximum
Name                  Other Rights(#)        Maturation or Payout         (# or $)    (# or $)    (# or $)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>            <C>                                 <C>        <C>         <C>
William J. Pesce          20,000         May 1, 1999 to April 30, 2002       5,000      20,000      40,000
Stephen A. Kippur          5,000         May 1, 1999 to April 30, 2002       1,250       5,000      10,000
Robert D. Wilder           5,000         May 1, 1999 to April 30, 2002       1,250       5,000      10,000
Richard S. Rudick          2,800         May 1, 1999 to April 30, 2002         700       2,800       5,600
Timothy B. King            3,000         May 1, 1999 to April 30, 2002         750       3,000       6,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

Estimated future payments assuming  financial  performance  targets are achieved
under the 2000 long-term  incentive  compensation  plan for the named executives
are as indicated above.

(a)  Financial  performance  targets and relative  weighting of each target,  as
     well as the threshold,  target and outstanding  levels of performance,  are
     set at the beginning of the three-year plan cycle and include  earnings per
     share,  income  and  cash  flow  targets,  as  defined,  for the end of the
     three-year period. For the fiscal 2000 long term plan, the amount of shares
     earned will be based on financial  targets  established for fiscal 2002. No
     long term  incentive is payable unless the threshold is reached on at least
     one financial measure.

(b)  These awards consist of restricted  performance  shares. The Committee may,
     in its discretion, direct that the payout be made wholly or partly in cash.
     The  restricted  shares  would  vest as to 50% on  April  30,  2003 and the
     remaining 50% on April 30, 2004.


Executive Employment Agreements

     In July 1994, the Company entered into  employment  agreements with William
J.  Pesce,  President  and Chief  Executive  Officer,  and two senior  officers,
Messrs. Kippur and Wilder (collectively the "Executives").  Mr. Pesce's contract
was amended when he became President and Chief Executive Officer on May 1, 1998.
The contracts provide for base salaries  (reflected in the Summary  Compensation
Table on page 11),  which may be  increased  by the Board,  and for benefits and
incentive  compensation  as  provided  for  senior  officers  generally,  and as
described in the Committee's  report above.  Mr. Pesce's contract expires on May
1, 2001 and automatically renews for successive  three-year terms in the absence
of notice by either party. Mr. Kippur's  contract expires on April 30, 2002, and
automatically  renews for successive  two-year terms in the absence of notice by
either party to the  contrary.  If either  contract is terminated by the Company
other than for cause,  as defined,  or if the Company decides not to renew for a
subsequent  term, the Executive  will be entitled to 36 months  severance in the
case of Mr. Pesce, and 24 months in the case of Mr. Kippur.  Severance  includes
salary,  benefits,  pro-rated  cash  incentive  payments at target  levels,  and
long-term  incentives for plan cycles ending within one year after  termination.
Mr.  Wilder's  contract  was  amended  on May 1,  2000 in light  of his  planned
retirement  on June 4, 2003,  at which time it  expires.  The  revised  contract
provides that Mr. Wilder's employment is terminable only for cause and continues
Mr. Wilder's current base salary until his duties are transferred to a successor
(the transition date). After the transition date, Mr. Wilder will be entitled to
benefits as provided for senior officers  generally,  and certain consulting and
transition  payments  for  the  balance  of  the  contract.  If his  duties  are
transferred  after  September  30, 2000,  Mr.  Wilder will be entitled to FY2001
incentive compensation based on the timing of the transition date.

     Except in the case of termination by the Company other than for cause,  the
Executive is  restricted  from working for a competitor  for twelve months after
termination.  However, if any of the Executives resigns for "good reason" within
18  months  following  a  "change  of  control,"  both as  defined  in the  1989
Supplemental  Executive  Retirement Plan ("SERP") (see page 15), the restriction
does not apply.

     In connection with these  agreements,  the above named Executives  received
certain restricted stock awards which vested one-third at the end of each of the
third,  fourth  and  fifth  years  after  the date of grant.  In  addition,  the
Executive is required to retain  ownership of the shares for an  additional  two
years after  vesting.  If the  Executive is terminated by the Company other than
for cause,  or the  contract  is not  renewed by the  Company,  or if there is a
"change  of  control"  as  defined  in the Long Term  Incentive  Plan (see Stock
Options,  Performance  Stock  and  Restricted  Stock,  page 15),  any  remaining
restrictions on transfer of the shares will lapse.


                                       13
<PAGE>

     The Company also has agreements with Messrs.  Rudick, King and other senior
vice presidents  (the  "Participants"),  which provide for  continuation of base
salary for a period of between 12 and 18 months in the event of  termination  by
the  Company  other than for cause.  In the event of a "change of  control,"  as
defined  in the  SERP,  under  certain  circumstances  the  Participants  may be
entitled to cash  incentive  payments at target level for the severance  period.
Except in the case of  termination  by the  Company  other  than for  cause,  or
termination  for "good  reason,"  as  defined  in SERP,  following  a "change of
control," the  Participants  are restricted  from working for a competitor for a
period of four to six months after termination.

Retirement Plan

     The following table shows the estimated annual retirement  benefits payable
at normal retirement age to a covered  participant who has attained the earnings
and  years  of   service   classifications   indicated   under   the   Company's
tax-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit retirement plan (the "Retirement
Plan")  and  non-qualified   supplemental  retirement  plan  (the  "Supplemental
Retirement Plan"):

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Average                                 Years of Service
   Highest         -------------------------------------------------------------
Compensation          10                20              30               35
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  $100,000         $ 15,001         $ 30,003         $ 45,004        $ 52,505
   200,000           31,701           63,403           95,104         110,955
   300,000           48,401           96,803          145,204         169,405
   400,000           65,101          130,203          195,304         227,855
   500,000           81,801          163,603          245,404         286,305
   600,000           98,501          197,003          295,504         344,755
   700,000          115,201          230,403          345,604         403,205
   800,000          131,901          263,803          395,704         461,655
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Benefits shown above are computed as a single life annuity beginning at age
65 and are not subject to any deduction for offset amounts.  The Retirement Plan
provides for annual normal  retirement  benefits equal to 1.17% of average final
compensation, not in excess of covered compensation, plus 1.67% of average final
compensation  in excess of covered  compensation,  times years of service not to
exceed 35.

     Average final compensation is the participant's average annual compensation
(taking into account 100% of the base pay plus 50% of incentive compensation and
overtime pay, but not including any other  compensation  included in the Summary
Compensation  Table) during the highest three  consecutive years ending December
31, 1995 (subject to certain  limitations  on  compensation  under the Code with
respect to tax-qualified plans). The Company may, but is not required to, update
from  time  to time  the  three-year  period  used to  determine  average  final
compensation.

     Covered  compensation  under  the  Retirement  Plan is the  average  of the
taxable  wage base in  effect  under the  Social  Security  Act over the 35 year
period  ending with the year the  employee  reaches  his or her social  security
retirement  age (but  excluding  any  increases  in the taxable  wage base after
1995). The Supplemental  Retirement Plan provides  benefits that would otherwise
be denied  participants by reason of certain Code  limitations on  tax-qualified
plan  benefits.   Average  final  compensation  and  covered   compensation  are
determined  under the  Supplemental  Retirement Plan in the same manner as under
the Retirement Plan, except that a participant's  compensation is not subject to
the  limitations  under the Internal  Revenue  Code.  Years of service under the
Retirement  Plan and  Supplemental  Retirement  Plan are the number of years and
months,  limited to 35 years,  worked for the Company and its subsidiaries after
attaining age 21.

     The years of service for Messrs.  Pesce,  Kippur,  Wilder,  Rudick and King
under the Retirement Plan and Supplemental  Retirement Plan as of April 30, 2000
(rounded to the nearest year), are 11, 21, 21, 22 and 13, respectively.  Average
final compensation under the Retirement Plan for Messrs. Pesce, Kippur,  Wilder,
Rudick and King as of April 30, 2000 was $272,354, $298,750, $251,489, $189,768,
and $163,826, respectively.



                                       14
<PAGE>

1989 Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan

     The  participants  under the 1989  Supplemental  Executive  Retirement Plan
("SERP") are executives of the Company or its affiliates listed on a schedule to
the plan, as amended from time to time.

     The basic SERP  benefit  (the  "primary  benefit")  consists  of ten annual
payments commencing on retirement (at or after age 65) determined by multiplying
the participant's  base salary rate at retirement by 2.5, reducing the result by
$50,000 and  dividing  the  remainder  by five.  The plan also  provides  for an
alternative  early  retirement  benefit for participants who retire after age 55
with five years of service,  a reduced payment for participants whose employment
is  terminated  prior to age 65 other  than on  account of death (and who do not
qualify for early retirement), and a survivor benefit for the beneficiaries of a
participant  who dies  prior  to age 65  while  employed  by the  Company  or an
affiliate.

     The  estimated  annual  benefits  under  SERP  payable  over ten years upon
retirement  at age 65 for Messrs.  Pesce,  Kippur,  Wilder,  Rudick and King are
$1,119,500, $343,900, $284,200, $126,300, and $134,900, respectively.

     SERP provides the participants  with a guaranteed  total annual  retirement
benefit  beginning  at age 65 for ten  years  (taking  into  account  retirement
benefits  under  the  Company's   Retirement   Plan,   referred  to  above,  the
Supplemental  Retirement  Plan and the primary benefit under SERP) of 50% to 65%
(depending on the executive's position with the Company) of average compensation
over the  executive's  highest three  consecutive  years.  Under certain circum-
stances,  if a  participant  works for a competitor  within 24 months  following
termination of employment,  no further payments would be made to the participant
under SERP.

     SERP also provides that following a change of control  (defined in the same
manner as under the  Company's  stock  option  plans  discussed  below)  and the
termination  of the  participant's  employment  without  cause as defined,  or a
termination by the  participant  for good reason as defined,  the participant is
entitled to a lump sum payment of the then present  value of his benefits  under
SERP  computed  as if the  participant  had  attained  age 65 on the date of his
termination.

Stock Options, Performance Stock, and Restricted Stock


     Under the Long Term  Incentive Plan (the "Plan"),  qualified  employees are
eligible to receive  awards that may include stock  options,  performance  stock
awards and  restricted  stock awards as described in footnote (a) of the Summary
Compensation Table. No more than 8,000,000 shares may be issued over the life of
the Plan, and no incentive stock option may be granted after June 22, 2009.

     Upon a "change of  control,"  as defined,  all  outstanding  options  shall
become  immediately  exercisable  up to the full number of shares covered by the
option. The Committee shall specify in a performance stock award whether, and to
what effect,  in the event of a change of control,  an employee  shall be issued
shares of common  stock with  regard to  performance  stock  awards held by such
employee.  Following a change of control,  all shares of restricted  stock which
would  otherwise   remain  subject  to  restrictions   shall  be  free  of  such
restrictions.

     A change of  control  is  defined  as  having  occurred  if either  (a) any
"person" hereafter becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly,  of 25%
or more of the  Company's  then  outstanding  shares of Class B Stock  (and such
person did not have such 25% or more  beneficial  ownership  on January 1, 1989)
and the number of shares of Class B Stock so owned is equal to or  greater  than
the  number of shares of Class B Stock then  owned by any other  person;  or (b)
individuals  who  constituted  the Board of  Directors  on  January 1, 1991 (the
"incumbent  board")  cease for any reason to constitute at least 64% of the full
board. Any person becoming a director  subsequent to such date whose election or
nomination for election by the Company's  shareholders was approved by a vote of
at least 64% of the directors comprising the incumbent board shall be considered
as though such person was a member of the  incumbent  board.  The term  "person"
includes any individual,  corporation,  partnership, group, or association other
than the Company,  an affiliate  of the Company,  or any ESOP or other  employee
benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or any affiliate.



                                       15
<PAGE>


V.   Proposal to Ratify Appointment of Independent Public Accountants

     We will present a proposal at the Annual Meeting to ratify the  appointment
by the Board of Directors,  on the  recommendation  of its Audit  Committee,  of
Arthur Andersen LLP ("Arthur  Andersen") as independent  public  accountants for
the  Company  for the fiscal  year  ending  April 30,  2001.  Although it is not
required to do so, the Board of Directors is  submitting  the  selection of that
firm for  ratification  by the  shareholders  to  ascertain  their views on such
selection. Arthur Andersen has audited the Company's accounts since 1967. Arthur
Andersen has advised the Company  that during such period  neither that firm nor
any of its members has or has had any direct or any material indirect  financial
interest in the Company or any of its  subsidiaries.  A representative of Arthur
Andersen is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting with the opportunity to
make a statement, if he desires to do so, and such representative is expected to
be available to respond to appropriate questions.

     Unless contrary  instructions are noted thereon,  the proxies will be voted
in favor of the  following  resolution,  which will be  submitted  at the Annual
Meeting:

          "RESOLVED,  that the  appointment  by the Board of Directors of Arthur
     Andersen  LLP as  independent  public  accountants  for the Company for the
     fiscal year ending April 30, 2001, be and it hereby is ratified,  confirmed
     and approved."

     The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast (each share of Class A
Stock being accorded one-tenth of one vote and each share of Class B Stock being
accorded one vote) is necessary for the adoption of the  proposal.  In the event
that the foregoing proposal is defeated,  the adverse vote will be considered by
the Board of Directors in its  selection  of auditors  for the  following  year.
However,  because of the  difficulty and expense of making any  substitution  of
auditors  so  long  after  the  beginning  of the  current  fiscal  year,  it is
contemplated that the appointment for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2001 will
be permitted to stand unless the Board of Directors  finds other good reason for
making a change. If the proposal is adopted,  the Board, in its discretion,  may
still direct the appointment of new independent  auditors at any time during the
fiscal  year if the  Board  believes  that  such a  change  would be in the best
interests of the Company and its shareholders.

     The Board of Directors  recommends that you vote "FOR" the  ratification of
the appointment of independent public accountants.


VI. Manner and Expenses of Soliciation

     Since many of our shareholders are unable to attend the Annual Meeting, the
Board of Directors solicits proxies so that each shareholder has the opportunity
to vote on the proposals to be considered at the Annual Meeting.

     Shareholders  of record can vote and save the Company  expense by using the
Internet or by calling the toll-free telephone number printed on the proxy card.
Voting  instructions  (including  instructions  for both telephonic and Internet
voting) are  provided on the proxy  card.  The  Internet  and  telephone  voting
procedures  are  designed  to  authenticate  shareholder  identities,  to  allow
shareholders  to give  voting  instructions  and to confirm  that  shareholders'
instructions have been recorded properly. A Control Number, located on the proxy
card, will identify shareholders and allow them to vote their shares and confirm
that their voting instructions have been properly recorded.  Shareholders voting
via the  Internet  should  understand  that there may be costs  associated  with
electronic  access,  such as usage  charges from Internet  access  providers and
telephone companies, that must be borne by the shareholder.

     If your shares are held in the name of a bank or broker,  follow the voting
instructions on the form you receive from such record holder.  The  availability
of Internet and telephone voting will depend on their voting procedures.

     If you do vote by Internet or telephone, it will not be necessary to return
your proxy card.  If you do not choose to vote using these two options,  you may
return  your  proxy  card,  properly  signed,  and the  shares  will be voted in
accordance with your directions. Shareholders are urged to mark the boxes on the
proxy  card to  indicate  how their  shares are to be voted.  If no choices  are
specified,  the  shares  represented  by  that  proxy  card  will  be  voted  as
recommended by the Board of Directors.


                                       16
<PAGE>

     If a shareholder does not return a signed proxy card, vote by the Internet,
by telephone or attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person,  his or her shares
will not be voted.  Any shareholder  giving a proxy  (including one given by the
Internet  or  telephone)  has the right to  revoke  it at any time  before it is
exercised  by giving  notice in  writing to the  Secretary  of the  Company,  by
delivering a duly  executed  proxy  bearing a later date to the Secretary (or by
subsequently  completing  a  telephonic  or Internet  proxy) prior to the Annual
Meeting  of  Shareholders,  or by  attending  the Annual  Meeting  and voting in
person.  Attendance at the Annual  Meeting will not in and of itself  constitute
revocation of a proxy.

     The Company will bear the costs of soliciting  proxies.  In addition to the
solicitation of proxies by use of the mails, some of the officers, directors and
other employees of the Company may also solicit  proxies  personally or by mail,
telephone or telefax, but they will not receive additional compensation for such
services.  Brokerage  firms,  custodians,  banks,  trustees,  nominees  or other
fiduciaries holding shares of common stock in their names will be reimbursed for
their  reasonable  out-of-pocket  expenses in forwarding proxy material to their
principals.

VII. Deadline for Submission of Shareholders Proposals

     The By-Laws  provide that if a shareholder  intends to nominate a candidate
for election as a director,  to submit a proposal for inclusion in the Company's
proxy  statement,  or to bring other  business  before the Annual  Meeting,  the
shareholder must deliver written notice of his or her intention to the Secretary
of the  Company (or if notice is mailed,  it must be received by the  Secretary)
not less than 120 calendar  days in advance of the date in the then current year
corresponding to the date of the previous year's annual meeting.  If the date of
the annual  meeting  has been  changed by more than 30 days,  the notice must be
received a  reasonable  time  before  such new date.  The notice  must state the
shareholder's name,  address,  and number of Class A or Class B shares held, and
fully  describe the business to be brought  before the meeting.  The notice must
comply with the By-Laws and include all other information that would be required
to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission,  if with respect to the
proposed business,  the shareholder was a participant in a solicitation  subject
to Section 14 of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934. If the notice pertains to
the  nomination of a candidate for election as a director,  it must also include
the consent of the nominee to serve as a director of the Company if elected.

     Proposals  of  shareholders  intended  to be  presented  at the 2001 Annual
Meeting (whether or not intended to be included in the Company's proxy statement
and related  forms of proxy for that  meeting) must be received by the Secretary
of the Company (at the address  listed at the  beginning of this  Statement)  no
later than May 24, 2001. Any proxies solicited by the Board of Directors for the
2001 Annual Meeting may confer discretionary  authority to vote on any proposals
for which the Company has not received timely notice.

VIII. Other Matters

     The Company has not received  notice from any  shareholder of its intention
to  bring a  matter  before  the  Annual  Meeting.  At the  date  of this  Proxy
Statement,  the Board of  Directors  does not know of any  other  matter to come
before the  meeting  other than the  matters set forth in the Notice of Meeting.
However, if any other matter, not now known,  properly comes before the meeting,
the persons named on the enclosed proxy will vote said proxy in accordance  with
their best  judgment on such  matter.  Shares  represented  by any proxy will be
voted with  respect  to the  proposals  outlined  above in  accordance  with the
choices  specified  therein or in favor of any proposal as to which no choice is
specified.

     The  Annual  Report to  Shareholders  was mailed  together  with this Proxy
Statement to shareholders beginning August 8, 2000.

     The Company will provide,  without  charge,  a copy of its Annual Report to
Shareholders on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange  Commission for
fiscal 2000,  including the financial  statements and the schedules thereto. All
such requests should be directed to Josephine A. Bacchi, Secretary, John Wiley &
Sons, Inc., 605 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10158.

                                       17
<PAGE>


     It is important that your proxy be returned  promptly,  whether by mail, by
the Internet or by telephone. The proxy may be revoked at any time by you before
it is exercised. If you attend the meeting in person, you may withdraw any proxy
(including an Internet or telephonic proxy) and vote your own shares.

                                             BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
                                                   JOSEPHINE A. BACCHI
                                                   Secretary
New York, New York
August 8, 2000


                                       18
<PAGE>


                                     [LOGO]
                                       JW

<PAGE>


           THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

                             JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.

                          PROXY/VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD

     The  undersigned  hereby  appoints  Bradford Wiley II, William J. Pesce and
Josephine  A.  Bacchi,  as the  proxies of the  undersigned,  with full power of
substitution to each of them, to vote the Class B Common Stock, which the signee
is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of  Shareholders of John Wiley & Sons,
Inc. and any and all adjournments  thereof,  to be held at the New York Helmsley
Hotel,  Knickerbocker  D Suite,  212 East 42nd Street,  New York,  New York,  on
September 21, 2000, 9:30 A.M., Eastern Daylight Savings Time.

                                 CLASS A SHARES






       (Continued, and to be marked, dated and signed, on the other side)

                                FOLD AND DETACH HERE

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

          JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC. -- ANNUAL MEETING, SEPTEMBER 21, 2000

                             YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!

                       You can vote in one of three ways:

     1.   Call toll free 1-888-426-7022 on a Touch Tone telephone and follow the
          instructions  on the reverse side.  There is NO CHARGE to you for this
          call.

     2.   Via the  Internet  at  www.proxyvoting.com/johnwiley  and  follow  the
          instructions.

                                       or

     3.   Mark,  sign and date your  proxy card and  return it  promptly  in the
          enclosed envelope.

                                   PLEASE VOTE


<PAGE>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          The Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR" all nominees
                              and "FOR" Proposal 2.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

             Please mark your vote as indicated in this example [X]

1.   The election as directors of all nominees listed below, except as marked to
     the contrary:

     (01) Larry Franklin

     (02) Henry A. McKinnell

     (03) John L. Marion, Jr.

                                  With-                               For All
     For                          hold                                Except

     [_]                           [_]                                  [_]

INSTRUCTION:  To withhold  authority to vote for any  nominee(s),  mark "For All
Except" and write the nominee(s') name(s) in the space provided below.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2.   Proposal to ratify the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP as independent
     accountants.


     For                         Against                              Abstain

     [_]                           [_]                                  [_]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
      AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
      AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
      AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
      AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
      AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA


                                     -------------------------------------------
Please be sure to sign and date      Date
 this Proxy in the box below.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


_____Shareholder sign above_______________Co-holder (if any) sign above_________


                                 CLASS A SHARES

                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Will attend Annual Meeting |_|
                                                  ------------------------------

     The Proxies are directed to vote as specified,  and in their  discretion on
all other matters which may come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.
If no  direction  is given,  this  proxy  will be voted  "FOR" the  Election  of
Directors and "FOR" Proposal 2.

PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS YOUR NAME(S)  APPEAR(S) ON THIS CARD.  When signing as an
attorney,  executor,  administrator,  trustee or guardian, please give your full
title. If shares are held jointly, each holder should sign.

     ---------------------------------------------------------------------
               * * * IF YOU WISH TO VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR INTERNET,
                    PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW * * *
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        FOLD AND DETACH HERE IF YOU ARE RETURNING YOUR PROXY CARD BY MAIL

                 ----------------------------------------------
                 [GRAPHIC] VOTE BY TELEPHONE/INTERNET [GRAPHIC]

                        QUICK * * * EASY * * * IMMEDIATE
                 ----------------------------------------------

Your telephone/internet vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in
     the same manner as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card.

  Please have this card handy when you call. You'll need it in front of you in
                      order to complete the voting process.

          VOTE BY PHONE: You will be asked to enter the Control Number
                             (look below at right).

OPTION A: To vote as the Board of Directors  recommends on ALL proposals,  press
          1. Your vote will be confirmed.

OPTION B: If you choose to vote on each proposal  separately,  press 0. You will
          hear these instructions:

          Item 1:   To vote  FOR ALL  nominees,  press  1; to  WITHHOLD  FOR ALL
                    nominees,  press 9. To WITHHOLD FOR AN  INDIVIDUAL  NOMINEE,
                    PRESS 0 and listen to the instructions.

          Item 2:   To vote FOR,  press 1; AGAINST,  press 9; ABSTAIN,  press 0.
                    When asked, you must confirm your vote by pressing 1.

       VOTE BY INTERNET: The web address is www.proxyvoting.com/johnwiley
      You will be asked to enter the Control Number (look below at right).

       If you vote by telephone or internet, DO NOT mail back your proxy.

                              THANK YOU FOR VOTING

Call * * * Toll Free * * * On a Touch Tone Telephone             FOR TELEPHONE/
                                                                INTERNET VOTING:
              1-888-426-7022 - ANYTIME                           CONTROL NUMBER
                                                                ================
       There is NO CHARGE to you for this call                     MMMMMMMMMMM
                                                                ================


<PAGE>


           THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

                             JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.

                          PROXY/VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD

     The  undersigned  hereby  appoints  Bradford Wiley II, William J. Pesce and
Josephine  A.  Bacchi,  as the  proxies of the  undersigned,  with full power of
substitution to each of them, to vote the Class B Common Stock, which the signee
is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of  Shareholders of John Wiley & Sons,
Inc. and any and all adjournments  thereof,  to be held at the New York Helmsley
Hotel,  Knickerbocker  D Suite,  212 East 42nd Street,  New York,  New York,  on
September 21, 2000, 9:30 A.M., Eastern Daylight Savings Time.

                                 CLASS B SHARES






       (Continued, and to be marked, dated and signed, on the other side)

                                FOLD AND DETACH HERE

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

          JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC. -- ANNUAL MEETING, SEPTEMBER 21, 2000

                             YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!

                       You can vote in one of three ways:

     1.   Call toll free 1-888-426-7033 on a Touch Tone telephone and follow the
          instructions  on the reverse side.  There is NO CHARGE to you for this
          call.

     2.   Via the  Internet  at  www.proxyvoting.com/johnwiley  and  follow  the
          instructions.

                                       or

     3.   Mark,  sign and date your  proxy card and  return it  promptly  in the
          enclosed envelope.

                                   PLEASE VOTE

<PAGE>

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The Board of Directors  recommends a vote "FOR" all nominees and "FOR" Proposal
2.
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             Please mark your vote as indicated in this example [X]

1.   The election as directors of all nominees listed below, except as marked to
     the contrary:

     (01) Warren J. Baker, (02) H. Allen Fernald,
     (03) William J. Pesce, (04) Naomi Seligman,
     (05) William R. Sutherland, (06) Bradford Wiley II and
     (07) Peter Booth Wiley
                                  With-                               For All
     For                          hold                                Except

     [_]                           [_]                                  [_]

INSTRUCTION:  To withhold  authority to vote for any  nominee(s),  mark "For All
Except" and write the nominee(s') name(s) in the space provided below.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2.   Proposal to ratify the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP as independent
     accountants.

     For                         Against                              Abstain

     [_]                           [_]                                  [_]

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      AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
      AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
      AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
      AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
      AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
      AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA


                                     -------------------------------------------
Please be sure to sign and date      Date
 this Proxy in the box below.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



_____Shareholder sign above_______________Co-holder (if any) sign above_________



                                 CLASS B SHARES

                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Will attend Annual Meeting |_|
                                                  ------------------------------

     The Proxies are directed to vote as specified,  and in their  discretion on
all other matters which may come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.
If no  direction  is given,  this  proxy  will be voted  "FOR" the  Election  of
Directors and "FOR" Proposal 2.

PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS YOUR NAME(S)  APPEAR(S) ON THIS CARD.  When signing as an
attorney,  executor,  administrator,  trustee or guardian, please give your full
title. If shares are held jointly, each holder should sign.

     ---------------------------------------------------------------------
               * * * IF YOU WISH TO VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR INTERNET,
                    PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW * * *
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        FOLD AND DETACH HERE IF YOU ARE RETURNING YOUR PROXY CARD BY MAIL

                 ----------------------------------------------
                 [GRAPHIC] VOTE BY TELEPHONE/INTERNET [GRAPHIC]

                        QUICK * * * EASY * * * IMMEDIATE
                 ----------------------------------------------

Your telephone/internet vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in
     the same manner as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card.

  Please have this card handy when you call. You'll need it in front of you in
                      order to complete the voting process.

          VOTE BY PHONE: You will be asked to enter the Control Number
                             (look below at right).

OPTION A: To vote as the Board of Directors  recommends on ALL proposals,  press
          1. Your vote will be confirmed.

OPTION B: If you choose to vote on each proposal  separately,  press 0. You will
          hear these instructions:

          Item 1:   To vote  FOR ALL  nominees,  press  1; to  WITHHOLD  FOR ALL
                    nominees,  press 9. To WITHHOLD FOR AN  INDIVIDUAL  NOMINEE,
                    PRESS 0 and listen to the instructions.

          Item 2:   To vote FOR,  press 1; AGAINST,  press 9; ABSTAIN,  press 0.
                    When asked, you must confirm your vote by pressing 1.

       VOTE BY INTERNET: The web address is www.proxyvoting.com/johnwiley
      You will be asked to enter the Control Number (look below at right).

       If you vote by telephone or internet, DO NOT mail back your proxy.

                              THANK YOU FOR VOTING

Call * * * Toll Free * * * On a Touch Tone Telephone             FOR TELEPHONE/
                                                                INTERNET VOTING:
              1-888-426-7033 - ANYTIME                           CONTROL NUMBER
                                                                ================
       There is NO CHARGE to you for this call                     MMMMMMMMMMM
                                                                ================




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