Does anyone have any biographical information on H.F.B.?
From the Census records it appears he moved about quite a bit. He was living in Lee near Blackheath in the 1890s and is referenced at the meeting there in one of the W.W.F. items. He edited the "Faithful Words for Yound and Old" periodical, and his books seem to have been well recived, being reviewed in such places as "Footsteps of Truth", and "The Believer's Magazine".
He ran a stationery and printing business;
MESSRS. WITHERBY & Co. conduct one of the oldest London printing and stationery businesses wherein the direct line of succession in the proprietorship has been continued uninter- ruptedly from the foimder's time. Their records date back to the year 1740, when Thomas Witherby, ancestor of the present principals, estabUshed the business. His sons, George and Walter, succeeded him, and were followed in due course by Henry Forbes Witherby, son of George Witherby. To-day the firm consists of Mr. Harry Forbes Witherby and Mr. George Witherby,' who are sons of the above-named Henry Forbes Witherby, and thus represent the fovurth successive generation of their family in the control of what has long ranked as a typical undertaking of its kind. Specialising in law and cominercial stationery, for which they have always been_^ noted, Messrs. Witherby & Co. have likewise a high reputation for fine-art printing, their colour work being widely and favourably known. For this department they have an admirably organised factory at 326, High Holborn. There are also branches at 63, Coleman Street, E.C, and 2 and 3, West Street, Finsbury. In the course of their exceptionally long career the firm have developed extensive and valuable connections, of a character attesting the confidence with which they are regarded in both legal and commercial circles. Their mterests have, in fact, become ahnost world-wide, large con- tracts for stationery being undertaken for customers in such distant quarters of the globe as the Argentine RepubUc and other South American States, while the firm's colour printing IS in strong demand in America and several of the oversea domimons, notably AustraUa. To the administration of the business the present principals bring high quaUfications, and the firm s chents at home and abroad appreciate the fact that their reqmrements are assured of expert attention. Tele- phones : Avenue 836 ; Holborn 92. Telegrams : " Witherby London."
The company is still going today, see http://witherbypublishinggroup.com/Witherby-History
Did he continue in the Meetings til his death?
Interesting he is buried in a Church of England churchyard, St John the Baptist, in Burley in the New Forest.
He turned his hand to art as well; http://www.arcadja.com/auctions/en/witherby_henry_forbes/artist/358236/
His son Harry became quite famous for studies on Birds.
Scans of his other books would be appreciated if anyone has these. BTP have some more works in text form on their site.
Henry Forbes Witherby – 12th March 1836 ~ 17th June 1907, age 71.
Father: George Witherby – 2nd February 1791 ~ 14th August 1861, age 70.
Mother: Sarah Thompson – 1801 ~ 12th April 1875
Wife: Emily Davison – 1st January 1838 ~ 28th May 1915, age 77.
Children:
Annie Witherby – 1862 ~ 2nd June 1879, age 16.
Theodore Colquhoun Witherby (B.C. Brandt) – March 1872 ~ 18th March 1957.
Harry Forbes Witherby (H.L.C. Gillson) – 7th October 1873 ~ 11th December 1843.
Emily May Witherby – 1876 ~ 1932.
George Witherby (F. H. Moore) – 1878 ~ 1958.
Siblings:
Sarah Witherby – 3rd May 1821 ~ 17th May 1898, age 77.
Walter Witherby (L. King Church) – 22nd June 1825 ~ 28th March 1881, age 55.
George Witherby – 1826 ~
Mary Witherby – 1827 ~ 1905
Arthur Witherby – 1828 ~ 26th April 1884.
Henrietta Witherby – 2nd February 1830 ~ 23rd January 1871, age 40.
Rowland Witherby – 1833 ~ 21st April 1901, age 63.
