Spottiswoode Aitken

Frank Spottiswoode Aitken (16 April 1868 – 26 February 1933) was a Scottish-American actor of the silent era. He played Dr. Cameron in D. W. Griffith's epic drama The Birth of a Nation.[1]

For the rugby league footballer who played in the 1900s for England, and Oldham, see Frank Spottiswoode.

Spottiswoode Aitken
Aitken in 1916
Born(1868-04-16)16 April 1868
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Died26 February 1933(1933-02-26) (aged 64)
Los Angeles, California, US
OccupationActor
Years active1910–1928
Spouse(s)Marion Dana Jones

Early years

Aitken was born 16 April 1868 in Edinburgh, Scotland.[2]

Acting

In his book, The King of the Movies: Film Pioneer Siegmund Lubin, Joseph P. Eckhardt wrote that Aitken was "trained as a Shakespearean actor, with many years of experience under his belt."[3] His film debut came in 1911.[4] He eventually appeared in 81 feature films between 1914 and 1927.[5]

Business

Aitken was one of the first actors to settle in Los Angeles when the film industry was still at its strongest in New York. He invested most of his earnings in real estate, buying up orange groves around what would become Hollywood.

Personal life

Aitken was involved in a controversy in 1922 when, after suing his wife Marion Dana Jones for divorce for alleged infidelity, she countersued. A United Press news story reported that she was "alleging her husband had coerced her into living with Hay Weinstein, wealthy Santa Barbaran, so that he could extort money from Weinstein."[6]

The couple had three children: Francis Spottiswoode Aitken Jr., Frances Aitken and Margaret Shirley Aitken.[7]

Death

Aitken died 24 February 1933 in Los Angeles, California. He was 64 years old.[2] He is buried in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.[8]

Partial filmography

References
  1. Katz, Ephraim; Nolen, Ronald Dean (2013). The Film Encyclopedia 7e: The Complete Guide to Film and the Film Industry. Harper Collins. ISBN 9780062277114. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  2. Ellenberger, Allan R. (2001). Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory. McFarland. p. 112. ISBN 9780786450190. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  3. Eckhardt, Joseph P. (1997). The King of the Movies: Film Pioneer Siegmund Lubin. Fairleigh Dickinson Univ Press. p. 105. ISBN 9780838637289. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  4. Soister, John T. (2012). American Silent Horror, Science Fiction and Fantasy Feature Films, 1913-1929. McFarland. p. 20. ISBN 9780786487905. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  5. Katchmer, George A. (2002). A Biographical Dictionary of Silent Film Western Actors and Actresses. McFarland. p. 4. ISBN 9781476609058. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  6. "Bizarre Hollywood Regales Us With a New but Ancient Scandal in Wife's Charges". The Des Moines Register. Iowa, Des Moines. United Press. 26 February 1922. p. 1. Retrieved 3 September 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "$100,000 Left by Noted Actor". Oakland Tribune. California, Oakland. Associated Press. 24 March 1933. p. 6. Retrieved 3 September 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. Resting Places: The Burial Sites of over 14000 Famous Persons by Scott Wilson
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