Thomas Carlyle Lothian (1880-1974) was born on 7 May 1880 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, eldest child of John Inglis Lothian, bookkeeper, and his wife Lillias Charlotte, née Smith. The family arrived in Melbourne in July 1888, John having come to represent the publishing firm of Walter Scott. His father started his own company in c1890. Thomas joined the business in c1897. In 1911 he established the Standard Publishing Co. Pty Ltd to sell the publications of the Caxton Press direct to the public. In 1912 he married Effie Marian Vines, who had worked for several years in his father's office. His father retired the same year and Thomas formed the company of Thomas C. Lothian Pty Ltd to carry on representing numerous well-known British and American publishers. However, he also published in his own right as the Lothian Book Publishing Co. Pty Ltd. In time he handed over his businesses to his two younger sons. His wife Effie pre-deceased him; he died at ‘St Abs’ on 19 April 1974. People in the photo are identified as: Left: daughter Lilian and centre front daughter Jean Back: Son Noel who studied horticulture and became Director of the Adelaide Botanical Gardens for 30 years; son John who managed the Standard Publishing Co. and sons John and Louis who became directors of the publishing firm. Grandson Peter, son of John became a later director.A black and white photograph of a group of 7 people in the garden of a house with veranda with fretwork and balustrade. It appears to be of timber construction. The two older people in front are seated; 4 younger people, a young woman and 3 boys, stand behind them and a young girl stands between them.(mr) thomas lothian, (mr) john lothian, (miss) lilian lothian, (miss) jean lothian, (mr) louis lothian, (mr) peter lothian, st abbs, house names, york street, surrey hills, lothian book publishing

This was the home of John Inglis Lothian, father of Thomas Lothian of St Abbs 33 York Street, Mont Albert. John Inglis Lothian was a bookkeeper, who with his wife Lillias Charlotte, née Smith, arrived in Melbourne in July 1888, John having come to represent the publishing firm of Walter Scott. The children had been invited to a garden party where they entertained themselves making daisy chains. Left to right: Emily Broadfoot, David Dory, Betty Hopkinson; at back John Hopkinson; front right Jean Lothian.A black and white photograph of some children holding daisy chains they have made.tantallon, house names, york street, mont albert, (mr) john lothian, (mr) thomas lothian, (miss) emily broadfoot, (mr) david doery, (miss) betty hopkinson, (miss) joan hopkinson, (miss) jean lothian, john inglis lothian, thomas carlyle lothian

The photo is of the coach house at 'St. Abbs', 33 York Street. John Inglis Lothian, publisher, bought St Abbs in 1903 and lived here with his family until 1908. Prior to this the property had been part of Isiah Ainger's farm. The San Miguel family lived there from 1911-1923 and in 1926 Thomas Lothian bought 'St Abbs' and his family lived there until 1974. As the donor was Miss Jean Lothian it is assumed that the photo was taken during one of the periods the Lothian family occupied the property and more likely during the earlier period. A black and white photograph of a wooden building with a number of doors and windows with lattice work in place of glass. There is a concrete area in front of the building and a ladder leaning up against the building at the right hand end.york street, surrey hills, 'st abbs', house names, san miguel family, ainger farm, lothian family, coach house, isiah ainger, thomas lothian, john inglis lothian