J. B. Atholwood

James Brown Atholwood (c. 1864[1] – 11 March 1931) was an Australian actor, a member of J. C. Williamson's company. His voice was too distinctive to take leading roles, but he was admirable in character parts.[2] He was convicted of bigamy after a public trial.

History

Atholwood was a son of James Wood and Catherine Fulton Brown.[3]

He learned his stagecraft from William Hoskins, and played in:[2]

  • The Sign of the Cross in support of Julius Knight
  • The Prisoner of Zenda
  • The Royal Divorce, and played Napoleon when Knight fell sick[4]
  • The Silver King as Jaikes to Frank Harvey's Wilfred Denver at the Theatre Royal, in June, 1926
  • Sherlock Holmes as Professor Moriarty, to Cuyler Hastings' Holmes[5]
  • If I Were King as Louis XI[6]
  • Leah Kleschna as Schram, to Tittell Brune and Roy Redgrave
  • John Glayde's Honour as Michael Shurmur to Thomas Kingston and Mrs. Brough
  • J. C. Williamson's pantomime Aladdin as Abanazar
  • Double and Quit as the actor Edwin Drake, at the Palace Theatre, Sydney
  • The Show Boat as Windy, the pilot

Last years

Atholwood lived his last years in retirement at his home "Akhnaton" on Diamond Bay Road, Vaucluse. His hobbies included butterfly collecting[7] and creating plaster cameo portraits.[2]

He died as the result of a stroke, following an operation. His remains were interred at the South Head Cemetery.[2]

Family

Atholwood married Ethel Ruby Yelverton in 1897,[8] believing her previous marriage to Barry Marshall had been annulled.[9] She left him and later had him charged with committing bigamy with Lillias May Townshend in May 1902.[10] He was found guilty but there were mitigating circumstances and he was released before serving half his sentence.[11] In 1908 Yelverton sued him for maintenance in circumstances which gave the appearance of vindictiveness.[12] They appear to have resolved their differences as in 1922 Atholwood and Yelverton (daughter of Mary Elizabeth and Alfred S Parnwell, of Hobart) celebrated the 25th anniversary of their wedding.[13]

His children were:[2]

  • Sybil Edna Marguerite Atholwood (6 August 1900 – ) was a soprano[14] and an actress.[15]
  • Joyce Atholwood ( – )
  • Ronald Atholwood ( – ), also an actor, married Dorothy Marguerite Coffey.[16]
  • Sidney Atholwood ( – )
  • Keith Atholwood ( – )

References
  1. "Theatrical Items". The Newsletter: an Australian Paper for Australian People. Vol. 11, no. 33. New South Wales, Australia. 16 May 1908. p. 6. Retrieved 4 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. "Long Stage Career". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 29, 074. New South Wales, Australia. 12 March 1931. p. 10. Retrieved 4 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. "Alleged Bigamy. J. B. Atholwood Charged". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 19, 288. Victoria, Australia. 14 May 1908. p. 7. Retrieved 4 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. "Grease Paint". The Mirror (Perth). Vol. 2, no. 98. Western Australia. 2 March 1907. p. 16. Retrieved 4 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. "Our Sydney Letter". The Mercury (Hobart). Vol. LXXVIII, no. 10, 173. Tasmania, Australia. 20 October 1902. p. 2. Retrieved 4 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. "Melbourne Shows". The Critic (Melbourne). South Australia. 29 August 1903. p. 8. Retrieved 5 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. "Old Stager". The Sun (Sydney). No. 6343. New South Wales, Australia. 11 March 1931. p. 9. Retrieved 4 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. "Family Notices". The Age. No. 13, 211. Victoria, Australia. 5 July 1897. p. 1. Retrieved 4 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. "Alleged Bigamy". The Advertiser (Adelaide). Vol. L, no. 15, 469. South Australia. 16 May 1908. p. 7. Retrieved 4 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. "Actor Charged with Bigamy". The Sunday Times (Sydney). No. 1165. New South Wales, Australia. 17 May 1908. p. 12. Retrieved 4 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. "Clemency to a Bigamist". The Mercury (Hobart). Vol. XC, no. 11, 973. Tasmania, Australia. 1 August 1908. p. 4. Retrieved 4 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. "Actor's Matrimonial Complications". The Evening News (Sydney). No. 12, 861. New South Wales, Australia. 28 August 1908. p. 5. Retrieved 4 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. "Family Notices". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 26, 359. New South Wales, Australia. 29 June 1922. p. 8. Retrieved 4 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  14. "Family Notices". The Daily Telegraph (Sydney). No. 13, 996. New South Wales, Australia. 16 October 1924. p. 7. Retrieved 4 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  15. "Our Artists Make English News". The Daily Telegraph (Sydney). Vol. I, no. 223. New South Wales, Australia. 7 December 1936. p. 12. Retrieved 4 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  16. "Family Notices". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 31, 863. Victoria, Australia. 15 October 1948. p. 10. Retrieved 4 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
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