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