Many famous and distinguished individuals have worked and built their careers in the city of Liverpool. Some were born in Liverpool, while many others came to our city in search of new opportunities. Today, we’re going to talk about George Philip—a renowned Scottish cartographer, map publisher, and the founder of the publishing house ‘George Philip & Son Ltd’. He arrived in Liverpool in 1819 and succeeded in establishing his own business in our city. Read more about it at liverpoolname.com.
Arrival in Liverpool
The future cartographer was born in Huntly, Aberdeenshire, in 1800. When George was 19, he travelled to Liverpool to join his brother. He liked the city and began to build a life here, becoming an assistant to the Liverpool bookseller William Grapel.
In 1834, George Philip decided to start his own business, selling books and stationery on Paradise Street. His business began to grow, and George started publishing books, educational works, and geographical maps. In 1848, his business was renamed ‘George Philip & Son’ when his son, George Jr., joined the firm.
Company Growth
The company truly became a family business, as in addition to his son, George Philip’s nephew and daughter also worked there.
In 1856, the company opened a house on Fleet Street in London. From here, the family sold their geographical and educational publications.
The Caxton Buildings on South John Street in Liverpool became the company’s headquarters.
George Philip & Son opened a printing works, and production subsequently increased.
It should be noted that Philip created important scientific maps, including those of North America, the Arctic Northwest and the Pacific Ocean, as well as the West Indies. In addition, the company supplied atlases, geographical and historical textbooks, school primers, and a range of educational books and equipment. Over time, George Philip & Son entered the international market, producing textbooks for foreign countries, atlases for Australian and New Zealand schools, wall maps, stationery, and more.
Philip did not rest on his laurels. He began to collaborate with many famous writers, geographers, and historians.
George Philip’s business scaled up and was no longer just a family company. It employed over 300 people, and its range of products grew every year.
The company began to produce a vast array of goods: school textbooks, stationery, maps, diagrams, craft materials, gymnastic apparatus and school furniture, various games, puzzles, drawing pads, art supplies, Bibles, general prayer books, hymn books, Admiralty charts, and engineering, scientific, and nautical books.
Over 140 Years in Business
After George Philip’s death, his business was inherited by his son, George Philip Jr. In 1882, he began managing three companies: ‘George Philip & Son Ltd’; ‘Philip and Company Ltd’, located on South John Street; and ‘Philip, Son and Nephew’, located on South Castle Street. Over the next 20 years, the companies continued to grow actively.
George Philip Jr. died in 1902, and the companies passed into the hands of Thomas Dash Philip. Throughout the 20th century, the Philip companies continued to operate and maintain their reputation. ‘George Philip & Son Ltd’ operated independently for over 140 years. In 1987, it was sold to Reed International. In 1998, following a management buyout of the illustrated books division, Philip’s became part of the Octopus Publishing Group. Hachette Livre acquired the group in 2001.
This is the story of the famous cartographer George Philip and his renowned company, ‘George Philip & Son Ltd’. We hope you found this article informative and have drawn your own conclusions.