Name: William Lawson
Burial Number: 1066
Gender: Male
Occupation: Editor, Financial Journalist, Stockbroker;
Distinction: Financial Times Founder
Born: 3/12/1840
Died: 15/1/1922
Buried: 20/01/1922
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Story
Heene Hallmark
William Ramage Lawson 1840 -1922
Financial Times Founder
William Ramage Lawson was the third son of James Lawson, 45yrs, a draper, and Margaret, 36yrs, nee Webster, of Kirriemuir, Angus, Scotland. He was born on 3rd December 1840, and baptised on 21st December, he was 1 of 8 children.
William married Ida Dora Eisenhuth, (born in Germany), on 23 May 1864 at Kirriemuir, then boarded the “Countess of Fife” and sailed with his new bride and an older brother Alexander Webster Lawson, to Adelaide, South Australia, arriving 29 Sept 1864 to work for the South Australia Register.
William and Ida had their first 3 children there, James Christian Eisenhuth Lawson b.18 Jul 1865 Bowden, South Australia, Emil Alexander Webster Lawson, b.28 May 1867 Adelaide, South Australia, and Caroline Lawson-Murray, b. 07 Feb 1869 Adelaide, South Australia. William and family sailed back to England and had their fourth child, William Eisenhuth Lawson, b.19 Sep 1871 in London.
By 1879 they had moved to Edinburgh and William became the editor of the Edinburgh Courant, then on to the Financial News, helping to start the Financial Times, being one of the “Young Lions”, as the founders of the newspaper were known.
Their youngest child, Herbert Julius Eisenhuth Lawson, was born in Kirriemuir, Angus, Scotland on 12 Feb. 1879.
William was a successful published author, writing many books about economics, finance, history and industry, however, he left financial journalism to become a stockbroker, although maintaining interest in the world of finance.
William was widowed in 1889, and in 1891, aged 51yrs, he married again, in Ontario, Canada.
His wife was Eva Maria Isabel Green, 31yrs. In 1901 they were living at Saundersfoot, and by 1911 had moved to North Finchley. At some point they moved to Worthing, Sussex, living at Trevine, Southey Road, where William died on 15th January 1922, aged 81yrs. Probate was granted to the National Provincial & Union Bank of England Ltd., effects £57,745 6s 5d. Value 2022 – £3,500,000.
Researcher: Sue Standing
The Grave
Location in Cemetery
Area: NES Row: 4 Plot: 19
Exact Location (what3words): melt.waving.aware
Ashes or Urn: Unknown
Headstone
Description:
No description of the headstone has been added.
Inscription:
William Ramage Lawson born at Kirriemuir, Scotland 1840 - 1922 "Upright, fearless and true"
Further Information
Birth
Name: William Ramage Lawson
Gender: Male
Born: 3/12/1840
Town: Unknown
County: Angus (Forfarshire)
Country: Scotland
Marriage
Maiden Name: Not applicable
Marriage Date: 23/05/1864
Spouse First Name: Ida
Spouse Second Name: Dora
Spouse Last Name: Eisenhuth
Town of Marriage: Unknown
County of Marriage: Angus (Forfarshire)
Country of Marriage: Scotland
Marriage Date: 02/04/1891
Spouse First Name: Eva
Spouse Second Name: Maria
Spouse Last Name: Green
Town of Marriage: Unknown
County of Marriage: Ontario
Country of Marriage: Canada
Information at Death
Date of Death: 15/1/1922
Cause of death: Unknown
Address line 1: Trevine
Address line 3: Southey Road
Town: Worthing
County: Sussex
Country: England
Obituary
Financial Times 17.1.1922
Death of Mr W.R. Lawson – A distinguished financial writer
It is with deep regret that we have to announce the death of Mr W.R. Lawson, the well known writer on financial and economic subjects. Mr Lawson had been ailing for some little time, though it was hoped that with his wonderful Scotch constitution he would pull round. The deceased gentleman was one of the veteran City journalists, having resigned the position of editor of the “Edinburgh Courant” in order to join the staff of the “Financial News.” This was about the year 1888. Mr Lawson soon made his mark in the City, and came into prominence at the time owing to a series of articles, written under the direction of the founder of this paper, on the Metropolitan Board of Works, the outcome of which was the disappearance of that body and the creation of the London County Council.
After several years with The Financial News, Mr Lawson transferred to the “Financial Times” subsequently abandoning financial journalism as a profession for that of a stockbroker. He, nevertheless, kept in touch with financial subjects. He was a well known authority both on Home and American Rails, and right up to the last was a clear thinker, and had a most vigorous manner of expressing himself. He appeared as a witness in the famous Marconi case. In recent years he has lived mainly in the country, latterly at Worthing, which he had made his home, and whence he was a fairly regular contributor to the columns of The Financial News.
His latest book was that published at this office: “Europe After the World War.” His other works are: “British Economics,” “British Railways,” “American Industrial Problems,” “American Finance,” “Canada and the Empire,” “John Bull and His Schools,” “Modern Wars and War Taxes,” and British War Finance.” Mr :Lawson took a great interest in the management of British Railways, and was an active participator in the “Railway Shareholders’ Association.”
Personal Effects
Money left to others: £54745 6 s 5 d
Current value of effects: £3500000
Census Information
1851
James Lawson aged 45, draper. Margaret aged 36, John aged 13. Alexander aged 12. William aged 10. Jane aged 8. James aged 7. Robert aged 5. Elizabeth aged 1. Plus 3 servants
1881
Living at 18 Dalrymple Crescent, Edinburgh Newington, Midlothian – William R. Lawson, 40yrs, Editor, wife, Ida E. 41yrs, James 15yrs, Ennie 13yrs, Caroline 12yrs, William 9yrs, Herbert 2yrs, Lina Netz 26yrs Ladies Help, Christina Kippen 20yrs Cook, Christina Miller 17yrs Servant
1901
Living at St Brides House, St Brides Hill, Saundersfoot – William R. Lawson, 60yrs, Stockbroker, wife, Eva M 40yrs, Emily F Lawson 57yrs Visitor, Sarah Williams 38yrs Servant, Florence Harries 24yrs Servant,
1911
Living at Finchley Lodge, Gainsborough Road, North Finchley – William Ramage Lawson, 71yrs, Stockbroker, wife, Eva Maria Isobel 50yrs, Norman Lawson 19yrs, Grandson, Bank Clerk, Margaret Louise, 17yrs, Granddaughter, visitor, Francis Green 57yrs, Gentleman, plus 3 domestic servants.
1921
Visitor at Pont Llwni, Llandyssul, Cardiganshire, Wales. Frances Elizabeth Lloyd, Hd. 69yrs, single, visitors, William Ramage Lawson, 80yrs, Journalist, wife, Eva Maria Isabel, 60yrs, plus 1 domestic servant.
Miscellaneous Information
William Eisenhuth Lawson
A letter written by Eva Maria Isabel Lawson to her step son William Eisenhuth Lawson, kindly shared by a member of the family.
My Dear Willie,
You will be terribly sad to hear that your dear Father, after a brave fight for life, died quietly this morning. He was so much better on Thurs that I began to hope again, but he seemed to get cold that afternoon and got weaker and weaker, until at 7 am today he just gave 3 or 4 deep, struggling breaths and fell back dead. After watching his battle for life, for over 10 days his restlessness and weariness I feel thankful he is at rest, but I miss him at every turn. Uncle James has been very kind, coming twice a day to be with me. The last 10 days have been embittered to me, by having to stand aside and see the 2 nurses doing everything for my darling and they were often so contemptuous and impudent to those who were not “trained nurses”. I think he hated being mauled about by them it seemed to hurt his self respect. Nurses were so scarce to get just then owing to flu being so bad that I felt glad to get anyone. I wish now very much that I had had older and kinder women. The Dr was a great believer in hypodermic injections of ?distillates? and strychnine every 4 hours day and night- but I don’t think they are good for older men, they simply make artificial life and I think it is much better to let people die quietly than to prolong the agony. It is quite possible that with his heart in that state, his fall and his age he could never have recovered, but I think the constant injections weakened his mind and powers of resistance. It was pathetic to see him so helpless, in a constant state of drowsiness, his head and arms never still. Generation 5 (con’t) The funeral is to be at Heene’s Churchyard near here, Friday at 2.15. Ned (Green) came down directly he had my wire today, but had to go home at night. I have sent to ask Amy and Francis to come. Monday night: A. and Francis could not catch the west train, so are traveling up tonight from Fishguard arriving Paddington 11 a.m. and will get here tomorrow afternoon. My husband-to save any trouble and unpleasantness- made a will appointing National Provincial Bank his trustees. They wished him to draw up a codicil, explaining certain passages in the will, which the lawyer in Lincoln Inn Fields who drew the deeds of sale of the Lodge and purchase of Trevine had made for him. My husband wrote out the codicil, but did not sign it, he said we will see to it when we are in our own house, Uncle James was here with Ned yesterday and we decided that Ned should go to the Bank in the city and ask them if they consented to administer the will, (which is itself signed and witnessed by Mr Summers, the proprietor of Sandringham Hall and Mr John Lewer, a S./Esc. man your father knew, who was staying there with us. If the bank won’t act Ned was going to the lawyer who drew up the will and get instructions from him. They seem to think the widow under these circumstances has to act. I may tell you your father left you 10,000.00 pounds and a 1/6th share of his residuary estate if any. Also that he and I had an unwritten understanding that money left to me shall at my death be left to any of his family or relatives, not to my own relations as I may see fit to direct. This house is in my name so that saves double succession duty. I hope Emil will not come to the funeral and make jars. After all I have gone through the last 5 weeks I can’t stand much more. I have asked Aunt Anne here on Thurs: and over Sunday-he left her 50 pounds a year for life but as she and Country are not friends, nor she and Jeanie and Ida who is now living near Arundel nor Liny are on friendly terms nor Emil I shall be glad when Friday is over. I am here alone with Moine and his wife but Francis and Amy will be here tomorrow and Ned and Annie come Thurs. I think they go to Sandringham most likely. Dr Watson came today at my wish and cut an artery in my husbands leg, He always dreaded being buried alive and I said I would see he wasn’t. Funeral is on Fri: at Heene Churchyard, 2. 15 p.m. He will spend tonight in his coffin, in his library among his papers and books, I know how you and I will miss him all our lives. I shall live on here quietly for the present and if you come home this summer you will come here to me. With love and great sympathy Your loving E.L. He was a dearly loved husband and friend, and the kindest of fathers. All through his illness I slept on the edge of his bed and hardly ever left him in the day time, I loved him with all my heart. Everyone respected him.
