Typed by: Jan Shelfer
FALCONER, BOLIVAR LANG, M.D.
Surnames: FALCONER, SHAW, BENNETT, HENDERSON
Bolivar Lang Falconer, M. D., b. July 28, 1870 in Mississippi, d. April 26, 1953
and buried in Calvary Cemetery in Marlin, Falls County, Texas-was a son of
Willis Lang and Emma (Shaw) Falconer, natives of Mississippi who settled in
Falls County, Texas in 1885.
Attending public schools first in Mississippi, he came with his parents at age
fifteen years, and graduated from Marlin High School in 1887. He attended
Mississippi A&M College for two years, and following graduation, he was briefly
employed by the Mistrot Brothers-subsequently starting his civil service career
in the Marlin Post Office. Following service in the Taylor, Texas Post Office,
he served at the Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C. In 1990, he went to the
Philippine Islands as assistant, and later as Director of the Philippine Civil
Service. He served fourteen years as Civil Service Director, and was regional
Director of Civil Service before retiring in 1931.
In 1931, Dr. Falconer made the first of his seven trips around the world. In
1936, he was the first paying passenger to go around the world entirely by air.
His book, Flying Around the World, 1937, is an account of this experience.
An ardent student, he was awarded a B.S. and M.D. degrees from Georgetown
University, and a masters degree in mathematics from Harvard University. He was
a fellow of the American and Royal Geographical Societies; and help membership
in the American National Theater and Academy, New York; American Mathematical
Society; American Museum of Natural History; Cosmos Club; Explorers' Club, New
York; Harvard Faculty Club; Indian Rights Association; National Civil Service
League; Philippine Society; and Marlin Rotary Club.
In 1946, in New York City, Dr. Falconer was married to Hazel Bennett of
Thornton, Texas-a daughter of Benjamin and Maud (Henderson) Bennett; and the
couple divided their time between Marlin, Texas and points of interest around
the world.
Dr. Bolivar Lang Falconer's many philanthropic interests covered a wide range of
public and private causes. Churches of several denominations and locations were
helped by his gifts. College students were helped through school if they showed
evidence of willingness to work. He was an early convert to the principle that
he would match what others gave. He gave the lot on which the Marlin Public
Library was built, providing Marlin people would buy the adjoining lot from
Nathan Levy. He gave half the cost of building for the public library, providing
Marlin citizens would give the other half. He contributed 500 volumes to the new
library, and then matched whatever the local citizens contributed to the
library. He contributed generously to the Falconer-Stamps Library, paying for
the removal of a government surplus building from Hearne, Texas to Marlin. He
matched, dollar for dollar, everything Marlin citizens contributed to their
libraries. His interest in and love for Marlin were illustrated by the fact that
he gave his sister, Mrs. Walter H. (Nettie Falconer) Allen, power of attorney to
contribute to any good cause for Marlin that was supported by the local
citizens.
Dr. Bolivar Lang Falconer died at the age of 82 years, of a heart ailment; but
he lives on in the many people he helped and the causes to which he contributed
during his productive life.
Copyright Permission granted to Theresa Carhart for printing these bio of these
Falls County Families to this Web page.
"Families of Falls County," compiled and edited by the Falls County Historical
Commission, page 141, column 1.
Member of Falls County Historical Commission