Graphology
Frank Hilliger had long held the ambition of setting graphology on the map by establishing a recognized organization, or "Institute". He was to realize his dream just 3 years before his untimely death in 1986, setting the first standards for examination in the UK, and finally establishing graphology as a recognized and accepted method for assessing personality through handwriting.
A former student of Dr Eric Singer (you will find samples of Frank's writing at various stages in his life in Singer's "A Manual of Graphology", p.208), he continued his research with routine daily visits to The British Museum in London over a period of more than 12 years, where he studied the many samples of famous and historic writing.
An attempt to publish the vast amount of collated information, resulted in stark amazement from the (unknown) publisher, who apparently suggested he reduce the quantity by at least half, in the belief that such a 'bible' would not sell! Frank felt this would make a nonsense of the carefully collated notes, and put this task on one side for future attention. However, his rapidly growing business, the many projects he became involved with during his lifetime, and his later concentration on the setting up of the British Institute of Graphologists (October 1983), ensured that this long-term plan to one day publish was constantly pushed to one side, sadly for us never to be realized.
Handwriting Analysis Ltd
Frank's graphological work quickly began to gain attention, and people came from great distances to ask for his opinion. He set up his own company "Handwriting Analysis Ltd", in 1965, becoming the first full-time practicing graphologist in Britain, and soon had a large client base who came back time after time, finding his method for assessing personality effective - and accurate.
His expanding business involved many areas of graphology, most notably including: personnel selection, for which he devised the first comprehensive questionnaire for clients; questioned document examination for which he had gained a considerable reputation in many courts of law including The Old Bailey in London where he was a frequent "expert witness", and also graphotherapy, an interest he shared with his colleague and constant correspondent Paul de Sainte Colombe in America. He also began to take on many students, running both private and evening classes: his former students number in the hundreds, with many progressing to successful careers of their own, including teachers, lecturers, and many authors. One early result of his expanding business, which "catapulted" him into the limelight, was being approached by the Platignum Pen Company, one of the first corporate companies to use Graphology, with Hilliger spearheading a two-year national advertising campaign which was extremely successful, generating much public interest.
Research into Cancer
He was often interviewed in newspaper and various journal articles as the subject began to gain public recognition. The list of interviews is too great to give here, with one possible exception: Frank's interest in the causes of disease and illness, as a result of a newspaper article he had seen, in which it was stated that negative emotions could result in such 'dis-ease'. This caused him to concentrate on the areas of handwriting which indicated such 'negative' emotions, with Frank remarking,
"If illness is emotionally based, then it will show in the handwriting, and it can be treated".
His ideas were not as outrageous as some people thought, because at almost the same time, news came that an American graphologist, Professor Alfred Kanfer, had undertaken considerable experimentation and research in collaboration with the Hospital for Joint Diseases under the auspices of the American Cancer Society, into detection of early malignant diseases (as reported in Klara Roman's "Handwriting, A Key to Personality".) Kanfer had also made the connection between 'negative emotions' and diseases such as 'cancer'. The two men were soon in communication, comparing notes and arranging to meet during Kanfer's planned visit to the UK. Sadly this was not to be however, as Professor Kanfer died before he could make the journey.
Hilliger continued with his research into emotionally triggered 'dis-ease', and began to apply the principles of "graphotherapy", arguing that if it could be utilised to combat the movements found in the typical cancer sufferer's writing, this, if successfully accomplished by the writer, could alleviate the effects of cancer. This brave statement resulted in considerable interest, plus an interview with the "Here's Health" magazine. Reaction was overwhelming. Many people contacted him from all corners of the country, and his efforts resulted in several success stories, before his work was itself cut short.
The End
Towards the end of his life, the subject which had been the interest of a select few dedicated individuals had become available to everyone. Despite being well past the age when most people retire, Frank's involvement was as great as ever, and he began on yet further projects (with which this writer was involved): planning a series of 'training videos' (in which I was to have been the 'student') and also updating a correspondence course (in response to demand), which he had been forced to abandon some years before, owing to lack of time. But at the very moment when all his efforts to get graphology recognized and accepted as a serious subject were finally coming to fruition, he died. He was never to enjoy the results of his own efforts, with many people being unaware of the enormous contribution made by this often self-effacing man.
Frank Hilliger was a multi-talented individual, also being a teacher of Fencing and of Music. He was made an 'honorary' member of The National Council of Psycho-Therapists, in recognition of his work. His greatest contribution however was undoubtedly in helping to set graphology on the map. But at the "young" age of 76, with many projects still to be accomplished, his life suddenly came to an end on the evening of December 15 1986. His passing was a great loss. Those who knew him remember him as one of the "old school", an "avuncular gentleman" who radiated warmth and caring and was never too busy to assist anyone in need, however insignificant they might appear to others. He loved people, and because of his unquestioning attitude, they loved him. Frank Hilliger gave of his time, his energy and his expertise without question. Sadly the passing of this great personality left a vacant space which has never been filled, and in deference to that fact he remains the first and so far only President of The British Institute of Graphologists.
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