J. B. Atholwood Explained

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 (1913-1989)
• Ronald Atholwood (1910–1967), also an actor, married Dorothy Marguerite Coffey.^[16]
• Sidney Atholwood (–)
• Keith Atholwood (–)

Notes and References

1. News: Theatrical Items. . . 11 . 33 . New South Wales, Australia . 16 May 1908 . 4 June 2022 . 6 . National Library of Australia.
2. News: Long Stage Career . . 29,074 . New South Wales, Australia . 12 March 1931 . 4 June 2022 . 10 . National Library of Australia.
3. News: Alleged Bigamy. J. B. Atholwood Charged . . 19,288 . Victoria, Australia . 14 May 1908 . 4 June 2022 . 7 . National Library of Australia.
4. News: Grease Paint . . 2 . 98 . Western Australia . 2 March 1907 . 4 June 2022 . 16 . National Library of Australia.
5. News: Our Sydney Letter . . LXXVIII . 10,173 . Tasmania, Australia . 20 October 1902 . 4 June 2022 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
6. News: Melbourne Shows. . . South Australia . 29 August 1903 . 5 June 2022 . 8 . National Library of Australia.
7. News: Old Stager . . 6343 . New South Wales, Australia . 11 March 1931 . 4 June 2022 . 9 . National Library of Australia.
8. News: Family Notices . . 13,211 . Victoria, Australia . 5 July 1897 . 4 June 2022 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
9. News: Alleged Bigamy . . L . 15,469 . South Australia . 16 May 1908 . 4 June 2022 . 7 . National Library of Australia.
10. News: Actor Charged with Bigamy . . 1165 . New South Wales, Australia . 17 May 1908 . 4 June 2022 . 12 . National Library of Australia.
11. News: Clemency to a Bigamist . . XC . 11,973 . Tasmania, Australia . 1 August 1908 . 4 June 2022 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
12. News: Actor's Matrimonial Complications . . 12,861 . New South Wales, Australia . 28 August 1908 . 4 June 2022 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
13. News: Family Notices . . 26,359 . New South Wales, Australia . 29 June 1922 . 4 June 2022 . 8 . National Library of Australia.
14. News: Family Notices . . 13,996 . New South Wales, Australia . 16 October 1924 . 4 June 2022 . 7 . National Library of Australia.
15. News: Our Artists Make English News . . I . 223 . New South Wales, Australia . 7 December 1936 . 4 June 2022 . 12 . National Library of Australia.
16. News: Family Notices . . 31,863 . Victoria, Australia . 15 October 1948 . 4 June 2022 . 10 . National Library of Australia.