John Francon Williams

In 1876, Williams married Barbara Balmain Dougall in Northampton, Lancashire, and they had five children: four sons; John Balmain, (born 1877, Northampton), Aeneas Francon Williams (born 1886, Liscard, Cheshire), David Dougal Williams (born 1888, Liscard), and George Stanley (born 1890 at Hope Place in the Georgian Quarter of Liverpool) - and one daughter; Margaret Mary Ann (born 1891, Liscard.) George was baptised on 25 May 1890. Margaret Mary Ann Williams died in December 1891 and was buried on 30 December at Massey Park.

Barbara Balmain Dougall was born in 1851 in Dunning, Perthshire, Scotland. She was one of seven children (Aeneas, David, Margaret, Isabella, Ann, Mary and Barbara) to John and Ann Dougall. John Dougall was a handloom weaver and his wife Ann was a cotton winder. Though most of the Dougall children entered the weaving trade, Aeneas became a teacher.

Early Career

John Francon Williams worked as a journalist and editor on various newspapers and journals in Liverpool. In 1876 Williams was elected a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society..

Association with George Philip & Son

Geography of America by John Francon Williams

Williams started his publishing career in Liverpool under the guidance of the renowned cartographer and map publisher George Philip. George Philip & Son published maps and educational books, and in 1881 they published Williams’ first book, A Class-Book of Modern Geography, with examination questions, notes & index. The book was written in collaboration with cartographer Professor William Hughes (geographer) FRGS, and became the first publication in a successful run of works over the coming two decades by Williams for the publishing house George Philip & Son. Between 1881 and 1893, George Philip & Son published twelve English editions of A Class-Book of Modern Geography. George Philip (1800–1882) and his son George Jr. (1823–1902), ran George Philip & Son, and when George Philip Sr. retired on 1 July 1879 George Philip Jr. took control of the business. The publishing house produced geographical and educational publications and operated from Caxton Buildings in Liverpool, and from 30-32 Fleet Street in London. ‘Further expansion was prompted by the demand from board schools established after 1870 for general textbooks, school stationery and equipment, and specialist atlases and wall maps. The firm also supplied atlases and textbooks for many overseas countries in several languages.’ George Philip Jr. spotted a gap in the market for quality school textbooks, and over the following two decades Williams wrote and edited over forty books that sold worldwide.

The Geography of the Oceans

The Geography of the Oceans by John Francon Williams 1881

In 1881, Williams’ seminal book The Geography of the Oceans was published. The Geography of the Oceans focuses on topics such as: General Geography of the Oceans, Physical Geography of the Oceans, the Geography of Particular Oceans. The various sections focus on: the distribution of land and water, oceanic river-systems, the salts of the sea, the density, color and phosphorescence of the sea, distribution of marine life, temperature of the ocean, movements of the ocean, sidereal movements or tides, of the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Antarctic and the Arctic Ocean. It was the first book to cover with such intensity the geography of the oceans. ‘A valuable little book entitled The Geography of the Oceans, which may be regarded almost as a new departure in geographical science,’ claimed the book reviewer in The Cornish Telegraph, who continued,‘I have found the book as fascinating as one of Jules Verne’s novels.’ The Daily Gazette called it, ‘A new geographical work of great importance.’

Contour Map Of The World by J. Francon Williams

In 1881, Williams and his family moved to West Derby in Lancashire where they lived at 52 Bonsall Road.

George Philip & Son employed three in-house cartographers; John Bartholomew the elder, William Hughes (geographer) and August Petermann. They were regarded as Europe's finest cartographers. As well as being a good friend of John Bartholomew junior, Williams was also a friend of Scottish journalist and writer John Geddie. In June 1882 Williams along with cartographer John Bartholomew junior, nominated Geddie to become a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. Williams was also acquainted with Edwin Ransom, owner of Kempston Mill, Bedford, Mayor of Bedford 1855-6 and proprietor of the Bedfordshire Times 1872-9. Edwin had nominated Williams for Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society in March 1876.

Williams also tried his hand as an inventor, and one of his inventions (of which there were two different designs), a new spaced measuring rule or scale, was registered and patented on 21 April 1884. The measuring rule was applicable in printing, painting, embossing or like means.

On 29 December 1885, John F. Williams attended the first annual children’s Athletic Fete and Industrial Exhibition that was held at the Liverpool Gymnasium in Myrtle Street, under the auspices of the Liverpool Council of Education and School Board. Williams judged the Map Drawing category and the Penmanship category. Over 900 entries were received for the different categories, and many of the books and paint-box prizes were gifted by George Philip & Son, Liverpool.

In 1887, Philip’s published Philip's Handy Volume Atlas of the World by William Hughes (geographer) and John Francon Williams. The pocket book contained 110 maps and plans all finely tinted, accompanied by statistical notes and other information. The Leeds Mercury said; ‘it would hardly be possible to find greater excellence in so convenient a form as we have in Philip's Handy Volume Atlas of the World.’ ‘The volume deserves to have a wide circulation,’ stated the Liverpool Mercury, and declared, ‘In fact, it is quite a little geographical library in itself.’ Williams dedicated the book to the President of the Royal Geographical Society, Lord Aberdare, Henry Austin Bruce, 1st Baron Aberdare. In the decade prior to the arrival of Pears' Cyclopaedia (1897), a much smaller work measuring 135x105 mm. was available. It sold for six-pence in cloth, or one shilling in leather hardback, and was extremely popular, selling 800,000 copies by 1896. Eli Lemon Sheldon (pen-name Dom Lemon) compiled the book. The book’s success led its publisher to create a series of similar little books that sold equally as well. Number thirty-six in the edition was A World Gazetteer compiled by John Francon Williams. Williams’ revised version had the same atlas, with slightly larger maps. George Philip & Son printed the book.

In the late 1880s, Williams worked in conjunction with the publisher and editor George Newnes (Sir George Newnes, 1st Baronet) - now regarded as the founding father of popular journalism - during the years when Newnes was building his publishing empire. It was during this period that Williams also founded his own publication.

In 1887, Williams founded and edited the monthly magazine, Stories Illustrated.

In November 1889, John Francon Williams was introduced to HRH Albert Edward, Prince of Wales. During their meeting Williams presented the Prince of Wales with a copy of his book, Philips' Handy-volume Atlas of the British Empire, published in 1887. The book is housed in The Royal Collection Trust at Windsor Castle, along with other John Francon Williams books.

Later Career

With Williams’ increase in wealth he moved his family yet again, this time to live in Wallasey, St. Hilary in Cheshire. In 1896, Williams bought a freehold property in Mount Pleasant Road, in Wallasey, which he named ‘Balmain,’ after his wife, whose middle name was Balmain.

By late 1898, the Williams family had moved again and were living in a detached house Fairlight, on Forest Avenue, Chingford, London.

In later life John Francon Williams focused his career on being a Publishers Representative (Agent). He would travel to Edinburgh, Birmingham, Liverpool, Leicester, Manchester, London and also abroad, primarily the U.S.A. and Canada, pursuing and securing contracts for publishing houses. One of the publishing houses he acted as an agent for in Edinburgh, was John Bartholomew and Son, which now belonged to his longtime friend, John George Bartholomew. Williams’ eldest son John Jr., would accompany his father to assist him on some of these trips. John Jr., was noted as being a sickly child, ‘who is much troubled with asthma and bronchitis.’ In 1899, Williams’ friend Sir Alfred Lewis Jones of Messrs. Elder, Dempster & Co., (a Liverpool, ship-owner) kindly gave Williams’ son John Jr., a voyage on one of his steamers to New Orleans in the hope that it would help with John Jr.’s medical condition.

One of the prime reasons why Williams travelled to the U.S.A. was to try and set up an Anglo-American Syndicate, which would help promote publishers, publishing houses and their products. Williams discusses this matter in a handwritten letter to his friend John George Bartholomew. In the letter Williams mentions his ‘unavoidable connection’ with map-maker George Washington Bacon with whom he is working with on several projects, both editorial and administrative, and hopes that his friend Sir Alfred Lewis Jones (the millionaire ship-owner) might be interested in becoming a financial partner in the Syndicate. Williams was particularly keen to publish a Physical Atlas worldwide through the syndicate.

In 1899, Williams was commissioned by Mazawattee (publishers) to write a Gazetteer Pocket Atlas containing 9,000 to 10,000 places. Williams was also commissioned by Alfred Harmsworth, (later 1st Viscount Northcliffe), founder of the Harmsworth Magazine (later known as the London Magazine), to write a series of articles for the Harmsworth Magazine. His first article for the magazine and published at the start of 1900 titled, Then and Now: 1800 - 1900, Why This is the Most Wonderful Century in Time was written to commemorate the advancement in engineering during the 19th century, and to welcome in the 20th century.

On 20 July 1900, John Francon Williams travelled to Boston, U.S., from Liverpool aboard the SS Winifredian.

In 1901, by the time George Philip Jr. had retired from George Philip & Son, Williams had moved his family yet again, this time to 22 Queens Grove Road, Chingford in Essex to live.

In 1901/02, the Williams family relocated yet again, this time to Clackmannan in Scotland, possibly for Barbara to be closer to her sisters, Ann and Margaret Dougall. In Clackmannan the family resided at Mains House along with Barbara’s two sisters. Both sisters were spinsters and died within a few days of one another, Ann Dougall died on 17 March 1903and Margaret Dougall died three days later on 20 March 1903 (one day after her sisters burial). The sisters were buried next to one another in the old cemetery attached to Clackmannan Church. The sisters brother Aeneas Dougall (who died on 24 March 1897) is also buried in the old cemetery attached to Clackmannan Church.

John Francon Williams travelled to New York City, U.S., leaving 19 March 1904 from Liverpool aboard the SS Etruria.He travelled to America acting as a representative for various publishing houses.

John’s wife, Barbara died in Clackmannan on 24 November 1909 at the family home, Mains House.Barbara is buried alongside her sisters and brother in the old cemetery attached to Clackmannan Church.Barbara died from cancer of the liver.

The Hawes Junction rail crash

On Christmas Eve, 24 December 1910, the overnight express train from London to Glasgow departed at midnight from St. Pancras Station on its journey to Glasgow, with scheduled stops at Manchester, Leeds, Skipton, etc. The train consisted of four timber-bodied coaches, two sleeping cars and two brake vans and a locomotive. John Francon Williams and his eldest son John Williams Jr. happened to be in Manchester attending to publishing business on 24 December and had arranged to spend Christmas Day with relatives and friends in Clackmannan in the Central Lowlands of Scotland. They had decided to catch the overnight express train from St. Pancras to Glasgow when it arrived in Manchester so they could enjoy Christmas festivities in Clackmannan. At nineteen minutes to six in the morning close to Hawes Junction, the express train travelling at high speed smashed into an oncoming locomotive. The express train concertinaed and careered off the tracks. Except for two electrically lit sleeping cars, the coaches were lit by the Pintsch oil gas system. The impact broke the gas pipe in one of the front carriages and an explosion followed. Fire spread quickly through the wooden carriages killing twelve trapped and injured passengers that could not escape.

The Dundee Courier, Tuesday 27 December reported: The news of the disaster occasioned considerable anxiety to the relatives of Mr. John Francon Williams, a prominent and highly-respected resident of Clackmannan. Mr. Williams and his eldest son Mr. John Williams, were in business in Manchester, and had sent word to their friends in Clackmannan that they intended to travel North with the night express so as to arrive home on Saturday morning for Christmas. The fact that they did not put in an appearance in Clackmannan on Saturday, coupled with the news of the disaster, naturally aroused fears for their safety in the minds of their waiting relatives. Telegraphic communication was opened up with the hotel in Manchester where Mr. Williams had been staying, and yesterday (26 December) it was ascertained that, though the father and son had fully intended travelling with the ill-fated express, through pressure of business they had been compelled to postpone their departure till Monday evening, an arrangement, which, in the light of what subsequently occurred, may be regarded as providential.

John Francon Williams died from a brain haemorrhage on 4 September 1911 in the County Hospital, Alloa, and is buried in Clackmannan Cemetery in Clackmannanshire, Scotland.

John Francon Williams is identified as having had 42 published works in 79 publications in the World Catalogue (WorldCat).

During WWI, John Francon Williams' eldest son, John Balmain Williams, enlisted in the Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) 12th Battalion and was killed in action on 25 April 1918 at the 2nd Battle of Kemmel at Lagache Farm, west of Wytschaete in Flanders, Belgium, along with 100 men of the 12th Battalion Royal Scots. John B. Williams is remembered in the Roll of Honour at the Royal Scots Memorial in the Hall of Honour at The Scottish National War Memorial located in Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh,and at Tyne Cot Cemetery and Memorial located at West-Vlaanderen, in Belgium.

John Francon Williams is the father of Aeneas Francon Williams (missionary, writer, poet, etc.), and the father of David Dougal Williams (artist and art teacher), and the great-grandfather of writer Iain Cameron Williams.

(This list is by no means a comprehensive list)

Geography of the British Colonies and Dependencies by John Francon Williams, 1892

• A Class-Book of Modern Geography, (with examination questions, notes, & index, by William Hughes and J. Francon Williams - publ. George Phillip & Son, 1881. 12 editions were published in English between 1881 and 1893.
• The Geography of the Oceans by John Francon Williams – publ. George Phillip & Son, 1881. 2 editions in English were published in 1881.
• Elementary Class-Book of Modern Geography by William Hughes and J. Francon Williams - publ. George Phillip & Son, 1882. 2 editions in English were published in 1882 and 1888.
• A Class-Book of Physical Geography by William Hughes and J. Francon Williams - publ. George Philip & Son, 1882. 7 editions in English were published between 1882 and 1891.
• Philip’s Elementary Atlas and Geography, containing 30 colored maps, edited by J. Francon Williams - publ. George Philip & Son, 1882.
• Stories From English History by John Francon Williams - publ. George Philip & Son, 1884.
• Philip’s Picturesque History of England, with illustrations and maps, by John Francon Williams - publ. George Philip & Son, 1884.
• Modern England: from the Ascension of James I to the Present Time, by John Francon Williams - publ. George Philip & Son, 1884.
• Early England by John Francon Williams and John C. Crowley - publ. Boston School Supply Co., 1884.
• Middle England: from the Accession of Henry II to the Death of Elizabeth by John Francon Williams and John C. Crowley - publ. Boston School Supply Co., 1884. 2 editions in English were published in 1884.
• Stories From English History by John Francon Williams and John C. Crowley – publ. Boston School Supply Company, 1884.
• A Class-Book of Modern Geography with examination questions, by William Hughes and J. Francon Williams - publ. George Philip & Son, 1885.
• The Intermediate Class-Book of Modern Geography by J. Francon Williams - publ. George Philip & Son, 1886.
• Philips’ Elementary Atlas and Geography, containing the Essentials of the Geography of the World, and Thirty Colored Maps, edited by J. Francon Williams - publ. George Philip & Son, London, 1886.
• Philips Picturesque History of England by J. Francon Williams - publ. George Philip & Son, London, 1886.

Everybody's Gazetteer and Atlas of the World by John Francon Williams publ. 1900

• A Class-Book of Modern Geography, new and enlarged edition by William Hughes and J. Francon Williams - publ. George Philip & Son, London, 1887. 2 editions in English were published in 1887.
• The Queen’s Jubilee Atlas of the British Empire by John Francon Williams - publ. George Philip & Son, London, 1887. 3 editions in English were published in 1887.
• Elementary Class-Book of Physical Geography, new revised edition by William Hughes and J. Francon Williams - publ. George Philip & Son, London, 1887.
• The Queen’s Jubilee Atlas of the British Empire, with descriptive and historical notes and statistical tables, by John Francon Williams - publ. George Philip & Son, London, 1887. 2 English editions were published in 1887.
• Philip's Handy-Volume Atlas of the British Empirecompiled and edited by J. Francon Williams - publ. George Philip & Son, 1887. (Several editions)
• Philip’s Handy Volume Atlas of the World compiled and edited by J. Francon Williams, dedicated to the President of the Royal Geographical Society, Lord Aberdare - publ. George Philip & Son, 1887.
• A Class-Book of Physical Geography, new and improved edition, by William Hughes and J. Francon Williams - publ. George Philip & Son, London, 1888. 5 English editions were published between 1888 and 1891.
• Philips’ Handy-Volume Atlas of British America, with geographical, statistical and historical notes by J. Francon Williams - George Philip & Son, 1888
• Philips’ Handy Volume Atlas of Australasia by J. Francon Williams – publ. George Philip & Son, 1888.

Image taken from page 25 of 'A Class-Book of Physical Geography ... New and improved edition, revised by J. Francon Williams' (11122315735)

Image taken from page 25 of 'A Class-Book of Physical Geography ... New and improved edition, revised by J. Francon Williams' (11120476483)

• Childs Atlas, edited by J. Francon Williams - George Philip & Son, 1890
• Philips’ Presentation Atlas for Young People, edited by J. Francon Williams - George Philip & Son, 1890
• Young Geographer’s Pocket Atlas of the World, edited by J. Francon Williams - publ. George Philip & Son, 1890
• The Geography of the British Colonies and Dependencies, physical and political by J. Francon Williams - publ. George Philip & Son, London, 1892. 4 English editions were published between 1892 and 1907. 2 English editions were published in 1892 and 1907.
• The Advanced Class-book of Modern Geography, Physical, Political, Commercial by J. Francon Williams and William Hughes - publ. George Philip & Son, London, 1892. 3 English editions were published in 1892, 1908 and 1910.
• Class-Book of Modern Geography by William Hughes and J. Francon Williams - George Philip & Son, 1892
• Geography of Australasia and Polynesia by J. Francon Williams - George Philip & Son, 1892
• A Compendium of Modern Geography by William Hughes and John Francon Williams - publ. George Philip & Son, London, 1893. 3 English editions were published in 1893.
• An Elementary Class-Book of Modern Geography, with examination questions, by William Hughes and J. Francon Williams - publ. George Philip & Son, London, 1893.
• An Introduction to the Study of Geography by William Hughes and J. Francon Williams - publ. George Philip & Son, 1893
• Philips Graphic School Atlas, (a series of 110 Maps and Diagrams) by J. Francon Williams – George Philip & Son, 1895.
• The Geography of the British Isles, Physical, Political, Commercial by William Hughes and J. Francon Williams - publ. George Philip & Son, 1895
• Everybody’s Gazetteer and Atlas of the World by John Francon Williams - publ. W.R. Russell & Co., London, 1900.
• Geography of America by William Hughes and J. Francon Williams - Philips' Geographical Manuals - publ. George Philip & Son, 1906.
• The Story of Alfred the Great for Young Folks by John Francon Williams – publ. George Philip & Son, London (2012 Kindle Edition)