Bartholomew heritage 310113 part2

John George Bartholomew 1860-1920

BARTHOLOMEW: A SCOTTISH FAMILY HERITAGE

Brought the firm to its zenith with many innovations and academic projects

Changed the emphasis of company from printing mainly for other publishers to own list of publications

Produced 33 atlases (some in several editions) & published 40 different maps

Co-founder the Royal Scottish Geographical Society (RSGS) in 1884.

Appointed Cartographer to the King in 1910

John George Bartholomew 1860-1920


His flair: Recognise which titles could become bestsellers with many reprints

His friends included many well known figures (academics and writers).

A Benevolent manager, recreational activities for staff and a unique profit-sharing scheme.

Reserved and studious. Insistence on accuracy and quality in all his work made him an exacting employer.

His greatest accomplishments: The Times Survey Atlas of the World and championing layer-colouring


Bartholomew and Nelson's merge and move into the Parkside Works on Gibbet Loan in 1888 (soon renamed Park Road!)

The firm leaves Chamber’s Street and is re-christened as the Edinburgh Geographical Institute

1890: Flat-bed lithographic printing presses, Park Road


On the rats in Park Road...

"They seldom appeared in the daytime but one day when we were all busy at work, one of the draughtsmen (Beveridge) jumped up and knocked over his stool with a great clatter. Next we saw him standing with his hand behind his back clutching at the top of his trousers. A few moments afterwards he jerked out the back of this shirt and a dead rat fell out on the floor"

James Bain, Bartholomew draughtsman, 1880s


[Slide after: Chris Fleet, NLS]


Palladian frontage taken from Falcon Hall in Morningside, where the family had lived from 1899 to 1907 before it was demolished.

1911: Move to Duncan Street


1890’s: Railway continued to be one of the most solid clients


Bartholomew’s Large Plan of Edinburgh and Leith (1891)


Specialist Maps: Breaking new ground mapping limitless themes. (1904)


John George would say: “Where is it? What about it?”


John George refines layer colouring schemes on many maps at many scales


1919 Employee co-partnerships...


John George Bartholomew worked with Sir John Murray on mapping the findings of the H.M.S. Challenger Expedition (1873-76).

H.M.S. Challenger


John George was the first to put the name “Antarctica” on the map…

John George’s sketches for Royal Scottish Geographical Society Inaugural Event 1884; Banquet 1890.


John George Bartholomew: Co-founder of the Royal Scottish Geographical SocietyThree generations would play key roles at the R.S.G.S.

John George kept a log with charming sketches and watercolours sketches aboard the Sobraon, to South Africa and Australia.


John George heads off to Australia in 1881 aged 21.


John George’s own “Treasure Island” map


John George: All family holidays were spent in Scotland. Here in Drumnadrochit


Family Journals: A holiday pastime for the whole family through two generations


John George Bartholomew’s descendants: A close knit family still identifies closely with the family’s map-making legacy

John “Ian” Bartholomew 1890-1962


He led firm confidently through both wars and difficult times

Adds modern rotary printing presses

Creates innovative map projections

Initiation of World Series and important family of atlases were seminal.

Published Times Atlas Mid-Century Edition, 5 vols., then designed 1-volume Times Comprehensive Atlas (published after his death).

Followed John George as President of the RSGS from 1920 to 1954


Creative advertising with a lot of charm from the 1930’s


Great War: Ian Bartholomew: Active Service: Trenches and later Intelligence work

Ian was commissioned in 1914 into the 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders and served in France and Flanders. He was mentioned three times in dispatches and was awarded the Military Cross in 1915.

His younger brother Hugh was killed in the war.

Later he served on Haig's staff at St. Omer and Montreuil as a staff-captain of Intelligence.


WW2: Supporting the war effort: Escapee maps for MI9


From Ian’s photo albums….

Ian takes a break in the trenches near Ypres, 1915


Minou, his wife, in the "Yellow Peril"

Ian at the wheel in King's Park, Edinburgh (1920).


Prince Philip of Greece was in Edinburgh for the weekend as guests of the family 14-16 June 1935

Silver Wedding 1945, with photographs on the table of their two WWII, John and Peter

sons in service.

Map of Edinburgh Zoo, 1932 – by John “Ian” Bartholomew, later kept up to date by his son John as layout changed and animal’s were moved around


Edinburgh Zoo

The gates of Edinburgh Zoo originally came from Falcon Hall (with the Falcons). John George Bartholomew’s family lived at Falcon Hall 1898-1907


A collective legacy built from the continuity between generations

“It is moving to see how a son in each case would see through what his father had started.” - Alick Bartholomew

John C. Bartholomew 1923-2008Peter H. Bartholomew 1924–1987Robert G. Bartholomew 1927


John joins 1949. From 1953, has cartographic direction. Bartholomew mapping standards upheld while modernised. Engaged in key organisations in UK and internationally.

Robert joins 1953. From 1955 manages all production and investments in printing and bindery technology.

Peter joins 1956, becomes Chairman, with managerial control, until afflicted by series of strokes.

Outside directors appointed - financial, management and marketing strength added.

Company is sold to Reader’s Digest in 1980; then to News International in 1985.


1976 – Celebration of 150 Years

1980 – Sale of John Bartholomew & Son Limited to Reader’s Digest

1985 – Sale to News International

1995 – Move to Collins Geo in Bishopbriggs

Printing Record

Business Record

Reference Library

Printed maps

Proof mapsCopper PlatesGlass Plates

Principal ContentsCausewayside, Edinburgh



Finally….The interactive digital future? Good or bad thing for cartography?


Thank You!

Bartholomew heritage 310113 part2

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