Biography

Early Years

James Williamson was born in Pathhead, Scotland, on 8 November 1855. In 1868 Williamson moved to London where he was apprenticed to a chemist. From 1877 Williamson lived in Kent, where he married Betsy Heaysman, before moving to Hove in 1886 to advance his career in pharmaceuticals.

Hove Years

James Williamson purchased his first chemist shop in Hove and, whilst continuing to practise the pharmaceutical trade, he began selling photographic equipment. Williamson was a member of the Hove Camera Club and it was here that he met hugely influential figures such as the pioneering filmmakers George Albert Smith and Esme Collings, the inventor William Friese-Greene and the engineer Alfred Darling. These associations were to have a profound effect on Williamson's career.

Williamson soon discovered an interest in magic lanterns and in 1894 he began experimenting with film. With Alfred Darling's technical help and a close association with George Albert Smith, Williamson became a serious filmmaker. Indeed, in 1899 his film catalogue listed 60 titles. As a pioneering cinematographer, Williamson's output varied greatly, from the melodramatic Deserter (1903) to the realist Attack on a China Mission (1901).

Photograph of James Williamson

sat outside his studio in Hove, MF000302

Catalogue for Williamson Kinematograph

Company, MF000303

The Williamson Kinematograph Company opened its film production and processing studio in 1902. Williamson's family played a significant part in this venture; building sets, making costumes and appearing in films. Although he continued to make films, Williamson increasingly focused on equipment manufacture. In 1908 he invented a device with which exhibitors could make their own titles and, in 1910, he patented a projector that could intersperse titles into show reels. Eventually, Williamson switched film production duties to Jack Chart and Dave Aylott before withdrawing completely from filmmaking in 1910.

London Years

In 1910 The Williamson Kinematograph Company switched production to London and concentrated solely on manufacturing cameras and printers. Williamson made an aborted return to filmmaking in 1913 when he started a newsreel service. This failed in the early months of World War I. James Williamson died of a heart attack at his home in Richmond on 18 August 1933.