John George Bartholomew

John George Bartholomew changed the face of the disciplines of geography and cartography in Scotland:

(Information taken from 'The very prince of cartographers' by K Baker, 'The survey atlas of Scotland' (Edinburgh, 2012).

  • Thumbnail: Detail from John George Bartholomew photo
  • Thumbnail: Detail from a map of Mexico
  • Thumbnail: Detail from a page of a handwritten speech
  • Thumbnail: Detail from a poster
  • Thumbnail: Detail from an invitation card
  • Thumbnail: Detail from a plan for a national institute
  • Thumbnail: Detail from an advert for an atomiser
  • Thumbnail: Detail from a sketch of a ship's cabin
  • Thumbnail: The word 'best' from a page of notes
  • Thumbnail: Detail from a telegram
Photo of John George Bartholomew

An important 20th-century figure

This photograph of John George was taken around 1910, when he was in his 50s.

In 1909, John George was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Edinburgh, in recognition of his personal and professional achievements. There is a marked increase in the number of photographs of John George at this time, suggesting that the two were connected.

Indeed, John George even commissioned a portrait of himself by the Scottish artist E A Walton that shows him in his academic robes, standing next to a globe. The painting is now part of the National Galleries of Scotland's collection.

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Second page of a typed letter

Beginning the 'Times atlas' series

The first 'Times atlas' to be published by Bartholomew was the 'Times survey atlas of the world' (1922). John (Ian) Bartholomew oversaw its final publication, but it was John George Bartholomew who began the project.

This series of titles is one of John George Bartholomew's most important cartographic legacies.

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Third page of a typed letter

Speech on half-inch mapping

This is a draft speech written by John George Bartholomew. It was delivered to his staff to mark the occasion of the completion of the half-inch mapping of Great Britain, referred to here as the Reduced Ordnance Survey.

Although this series was begun by his father, it became synonymous with John George and is another of his most important cartographic legacies.

Transcript of this speech

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First page of a typed letter

Promoting maps at exhibitions

Like his father (John Junior), John George exhibited Bartholomew's maps at events all over the world. It not only helped to promote the firm's products to a global audience but they also earned plaudits that attested to the quality of their work.

The Edinburgh International Exhibition was a major event, and records indicate that it was John George who selected the items which won them this Diploma of Merit in 1886.

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Second page of a typed letter

The Royal Scottish Geographical Society

At the age of 24, John George Bartholomew helped to establish the Royal Scottish Geographical Society (RSGS).

This hand-drawn invitation to the society's inaugural address, which he designed, offers us a glimpse of the central role he played.

The society, which is still going, is unquestionably one of John George Bartholomew's greatest achievements outside those of the firm.

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Third page of a typed letter

The National Institute of Geography

This plan, designed by Patrick Geddes, is for an Edinburgh-based National Institute of Geography. The plan accompanied 'A plea for a National Institute of Geography' which was written by John George Bartholomew.

John George believed that geography and cartography were 'the foundation of history and the key to civilisation'. His plea is heart-felt and persuasive, but the project failed. The institute was never built.

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John George's ill health

John George Bartholomew's achievements were won through great adversity. He suffered ill-health throughout his life because of pulmonary tuberculosis, which he contracted in childhood.

It is no surprise that he was interested in the latest developments in medical science, and collected advertisements like this one for an inhaler.

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Travelling to improve health

In 1881, John George Bartholomew travelled to Australia aboard the 'Sobraon'. The trip was made to help improve his health, but once there he couldn't resist meeting fellow printers and publishers.

This image is a sketch John George made of his cabin.

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John George and depression

Throughout his life, John George Bartholomew suffered from depression.

One indicator of his state of mind is this book of motivational quotes. Some of them have been written out by John George, while he cut others out of newspapers.

What unites them all is the sense they give of a man desperate to triumph over adversity.

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Second page of a typed letter

John George dies in Portugal

In 1920, John George Bartholomew travelled to Sintra, Portugal, in an attempt to improve a bout of ill-health.

This telegram was sent by his wife to the couple's eldest son, John (Ian) Bartholomew on 14 April. It was given simply: 'Daddie died here suddenly, midnight'.

The news of John George's sudden and unexpected death shocked the cartographic world.

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