THE fifth son of the late James Hedderwick, LL.D., well known as a poet and
litterateur and founder of the Citizen newspapers, was born in Glasgow in 1856,
and was closely associated with his father and brother in the evolution of the
afternoon press. To his ingenuity and enterprise are due several of the best
features of modern journalism. It was on his initiative, in co-operation with
the National Telephone Company, that the telephone was first used for reporting
work on a large scale, the occasion being the famous Monson trial in Edinburgh.
He devised a means of telegraphing and reproducing in print on the same day
facsimiles in miniature of the actual hits on the targets at the Wimbledon Rifle
Meetings; and he is said to be the originator - useful from a newspaper point of
view - of the generally adopted method of "breaking up" lengthy speeches and
articles by forming sub-headings out of the running text. Possessing an aptitude
for architecture and applied mechanics, he carried through expeditiously and
economically, in collaboration with the architect, Mr. T. L. Watson, F.R.I.B.A.,
the erection and equipment of the handsome pile of Citizen buildings in St.
Vincent Place. In other directions he has shown his genius for newspaper work.
Mr. Hedderwick was, it is said, the first layman to speak over a telephone
connecting Scotland with England, and the first to despatch and receive a
message over the longest land telegraph and cable connection. He was also a
designer, though not the fortunate one, of the safety cycle.
Mr. Hedderwick married Miss Annie Fisher, daughter of the late Mr. Donald
Fisher, writer, and has a numerous family of sons and daughters. Since retiring
from the active management of the Citizen, some years ago, he has spent much of
his time at Tarbet on Loch Lomond, where he is the owner of a charming house.
Fishing is his hobby.
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Index of Glasgow Men (1909)