Famous Scots. Frank Spottiswoode.
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.
Early years
Aitken was born 16 April 1868 in Edinburgh, Scotland.
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.” His film debut came in 1911. He eventually appeared in 81 feature films between 1914 and 1927.
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.”
The couple had three children: Francis Spottiswoode Aitken Jr., Frances Aitken and Margaret Shirley Aitken.
Death
Aitken died 26 February 1933 in Los Angeles, California. He was 64 years old. He is buried in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery
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An interesting post! I’ve just learnt a new name, and I only hope I get the pronunciation right. 🙂
hahahha thanks. lot friend, have a nice day.
wow you clearly know your stuff Davido, thank you.
Thank you, Sir
pleasure friend..
Dear William
I am greatly impressed by the new point of view in this post.
My post today is just two comments on posts of two friends. Thank you for liking, ‘Oversincerity’. 💕💗😍🌹
it was an amazing post friend, very well written..
I am pretty sure I’ve seen his name before, but I don’t remember where. Maybe on one of our visits to Los Angeles or wandering around Hollywood … Anyway that scandal with his wife, whatever the truth was, seems terribly modern now doesn’t it?
yes indeed there was something fishy about it… but in those days there was plenty of things going on, thanks james.
Fame often tells only half the story. Aitken’s career soared, yet his personal struggles remind us that legacy is more than applause—it’s also how we carry relationships and lessons left behind.
absolutely, it doesnt matter what we have if your personal life suffers, thank you have a nice day.
So true. Thank you, and may your day be blessed.
and you sweet.
And you too.