Frank Spottiswoode Aitken (16 April 1868 – 26 February 1933) was a Scottish-American

actor An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. The analogous Greek term is (), li ...

of the silent era. He played Dr. Cameron in D. W. Griffith's epic drama ''

The Birth of a Nation ''The Birth of a Nation'', originally called ''The Clansman'', is a 1915 American silent epic drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Lillian Gish. The screenplay is adapted from Thomas Dixon Jr.'s 1905 novel and play ''The Cla ...

''.

Early years

Aitken was born 16 April 1868 in

Edinburgh Edinburgh ( ; gd, Dùn Èideann ) is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 Council areas of Scotland, council areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian (interchangeably Edinburghshire before 1921), it is located in Lothian ...

Scotland Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the ...

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.

Businessman

Aitken was one of the first actors to settle in

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

when the

film industry The film industry or motion picture industry comprises the technological and commercial institutions of filmmaking, i.e., film production companies, film studios, cinematography, animation, film production, screenwriting, pre-production, post ...

was still at its strongest in New York. He invested most of his earnings in

real estate Real estate is property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this (also) an item of real property, (more general ...

, 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 United Press International (UPI) is an American international news agency whose newswires, photo, news film, and audio services provided news material to thousands of newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations for most of the 20th c ...

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 24 February 1933 in Los Angeles, California. He was 64 years old. He is buried in the

Hollywood Forever Cemetery Hollywood Forever Cemetery is a full-service cemetery, funeral home, crematory, and cultural events center which regularly hosts community events such as live music and summer movie screenings. It is one of the oldest cemeteries in Los Angeles ...

.Resting Places: The Burial Sites of over 14000 Famous Persons by Scott Wilson

Partial filmography

* '' The Battle'' (1911, Short) - Minor Role * '' The Sands of Dee'' (1912, Short) * '' The Green-Eyed Devil'' (1914, Short) * '' Home, Sweet Home'' (1914) - James Smith - Mary's Father * '' The Girl in the Shack'' (1914, Short) - Jenny's Father - the Sheriff * ''

The Angel of Contention ''The Angel of Contention'' is a 1914 American short drama film directed by John B. O'Brien and starring Lillian Gish. Cast * Spottiswoode Aitken * Lillian Gish * George Siegmann * Raoul Walsh See also * List of American films of 1914 * L ...

'' (1914, Short) - Nettie's Father * ''

The Avenging Conscience ''The Avenging Conscience: or "Thou Shalt Not Kill"'' is a 1914 silent horror film directed by D. W. Griffith. The film is based on Edgar Allan Poe's 1843 short story "The Tell-Tale Heart" and his 1849 poem " Annabel Lee". Plot A young man ( H ...

'' (1914) - The Uncle * ''

'' (1915) - Dr. Cameron * ''The Outcast'' (1915) - The Lawyer * ''

The Outlaw's Revenge ''The Outlaw's Revenge'' is a 1915 silent American biographical drama film, directed by Christy Cabanne. It stars Raoul Walsh, Irene Hunt, and Teddy Sampson, and was released on April 15, 1915. Cast list * Raoul Walsh as the outlaw * Irene Hunt ...

'' (1915) - The Soothsayer * ''

Captain Macklin ''Captain Macklin'' is a 1915 American short drama film directed by John B. O'Brien. A lost film. Cast * Jack Conway as Capt. Royal Macklin * Lillian Gish as Beatrice * Spottiswoode Aitken as Gen. Laquerre * William Lowery as Heinz (as W.E. ...

'' (1915, Short) - General Laquerre * ''Her Shattered Idol'' (1915) - Colonel Nutt - Mae's Uncle * ''The Price of Power'' (1916) - Gabriel Brooks - Maisie's Father * ''

Acquitted In common law jurisdictions, an acquittal certifies that the accused is free from the charge of an offense, as far as criminal law is concerned. The finality of an acquittal is dependent on the jurisdiction. In some countries, such as the ...

'' (1916) - Charles Ryder * ''

The Flying Torpedo ''The Flying Torpedo'' is a 1916 American silent drama directed by John B. O'Brien and Christy Cabanne. It was produced by the Fine Arts Film Company and distributed by the Triangle Film Corporation. The film was written by John Emerson (who ...

'' (1916) - Bartholomew Thompson * ''

Macbeth ''Macbeth'' (, full title ''The Tragedie of Macbeth'') is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. It is thought to have been first performed in 1606. It dramatises the damaging physical and psychological effects of political ambition on those w ...

'' (1916) - Duncan * '' An Innocent Magdalene'' (1916) - Col. Raleigh * ''

Intolerance Intolerance may refer to: * Hypersensitivity Hypersensitivity (also called hypersensitivity reaction or intolerance) refers to undesirable reactions produced by the normal immune system, including allergies and autoimmunity. They are usual ...

'' (1916) - Brown Eyes's Father * '' The Old Folks at Home'' (1916) - Judge * ''

The Wharf Rat ''The Wharf Rat'' is a 1916 American silent comedy drama film directed by Chester Withey and starring Mae Marsh, Robert Harron, and Spottiswoode Aitken Frank Spottiswoode Aitken (16 April 1868 – 26 February 1933) was a Scottish-American ac ...

'' (1916) - Carl Wagner * '' The Americano'' (1916) - Presidente Hernando de Valdez * '' Pathways of Life'' (1916, Short) - Daddy Wisdom * '' Stage Struck'' (1917) - The Judge * '' A Woman's Awakening'' (1917) - Judge Cotter * ''

Cheerful Givers ''Cheerful Givers'' is a 1917 American silent comedy-drama film produced by the Fine Arts Film Company and distributed by Triangle Film Corporation. The film stars Bessie Love and Kenneth Harlan. The film is presumed lost Lost may refer to g ...

'' (1917) - Rev. John Deady * ''

Souls Triumphant ''Souls Triumphant'' is a 1917 American drama film directed by John B. O'Brien and starring Lillian Gish. This is considered to be a lost film. Cast * Lillian Gish as Lillian Vale * Wilfred Lucas as Robert Powers * Spottiswoode Aitken as Jos ...

'' (1917) - Josiah Vale * '' Melissa of the Hills'' (1917) - Jethro Stark * ''

Charity Castle ''Charity Castle'' is a 1917 American silent comedy-drama film directed by Lloyd Ingraham and starring Mary Miles Minter. As is the case with many of Minter's features, it is thought to be a lost film. Plot As described and illustrated in vario ...

'' (1917) - Lucius Garrett * '' Her Country's Call'' (1917) - Dr. Downie * '' Southern Pride'' (1917) - Father Mort * ''

A Game of Wits ''A Game of Wits'' is a 1917 American silent comedy-drama film directed by Henry King and starring Gail Kane, George Periolat, and Spottiswoode Aitken.''Guide to the Silent Years of American Cinema'', p. 166 Cast * Gail Kane as Jeannette Bro ...

'' (1917) - Silas Stone * ''

Beauty and the Rogue ''Beauty and the Rogue'' is a 1918 American silent comedy crime drama film directed by Henry King and starring Mary Miles Minter. It was filmed under the working title of "Mademoiselle Tiptoe," based on a story by Arthur Berthelet and adapted f ...

'' (1918) - Benjamin Wilson * ''

The Mating of Marcella ''The Mating of Marcella'' is a lost 1918 American drama silent film directed by Roy William Neill, and written by Joseph F. Poland and R. Cecil Smith. The film stars Dorothy Dalton, Thurston Hall, Juanita Hansen, William Conklin, Donald MacDo ...

'' (1918) - Jose Duranzo * ''

How Could You Jean? ''How Could You, Jean?'' is a 1918 American silent comedy-drama film, starring Mary Pickford, directed by William Desmond Taylor, and based on a novel by Eleanor Hoyt Brainerd. Casson Ferguson was the male lead; Spottiswoode Aitken and a youn ...

'' (1918) - Rufus Bonner * ''

In Judgement Of ''In Judgement Of'' is a 1918 American silent drama film, directed by Will S. Davis. It stars Anna Q. Nilsson, Franklyn Farnum, and Herbert Standing, and was released on August 12, 1918. Cast list * Anna Q. Nilsson as Mary Manners * Franklyn Fa ...

'' (1918) - Mr. Manners * ''

The Cruise of the Make-Believes ''The Cruise of the Make-Believes'' is a lost 1918 American silent dramatic feature film starring Lila Lee in her first motion picture. It was directed by George Melford and is based on a 1907 novel by Tom Gallon. Famous Players-Lasky produced a ...

'' (1918) - Simon Quarle * ''

Jane Goes A-Wooing ''Jane Goes A-Wooing'' is a lostProgressive Silent Fil ...

'' (1919) - David Lyman * ''

The Secret Garden ''The Secret Garden'' is a novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett first published in book form in 1911, after serialisation in '' The American Magazine'' (November 1910 – August 1911). Set in England, it is one of Burnett's most popular novels an ...

'' (1919) - Archibald Craven * '' Who Cares?'' (1919) - Mr. Ludlow * '' Fighting Through'' (1919) - Col. DuBrey Carter * ''

The Wicked Darling ''The Wicked Darling'' is a 1919 American silent crime film directed by Tod Browning, and starring Priscilla Dean, Wellington A. Playter and Lon Chaney as pickpocket "Stoop" Connors. This was the first time Lon Chaney appeared in a Tod Browning ...

'' (1919) - Fadem * ''

Captain Kidd, Jr. ''Captain Kidd, Jr.'' is a 1919 American silent film produced by and starring Mary Pickford and directed by William Desmond Taylor. It is her last released film for distribution by Paramount Pictures before moving to First National. The film i ...

'' (1919) - Augus MacTavish * ''

The White Heather ''The White Heather'' is a lost 1919 American silent drama film directed by Maurice Tourneur and starring Holmes Herbert, Ben Alexander and Ralph Graves. It was based on an 1897 play of the same title by Cecil Raleigh and Henry Hamilton. ...

'' (1919) - James Hume * ''Caleb Piper's Girl'' (1919) - Caleb Piper * ''

An Innocent Adventuress ''An Innocent Adventuress'' is a lost 1919 American silent comedy film directed by Robert G. Vignola and written by Clara Genevieve Kennedy. The film stars Vivian Martin, Lloyd Hughes, Edythe Chapman, Gertrude Norman, Jane Wolfe, and Tom Bates ...

'' (1919) - Meekton * ''

Hay Foot, Straw Foot ''Hay Foot, Straw Foot'' is a 1919 American silent comedy film directed by Jerome Storm and written by Julien Josephson. The film stars Charles Ray, Doris May, William Conklin, Spottiswoode Aitken and J. P. Lockney. The film was released on ...

'' (1919) - Thaddeus Briggs * ''

Evangeline ''Evangeline, A Tale of Acadie'' is an epic poem by the American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, written in English and published in 1847. The poem follows an Acadian girl named Evangeline and her search for her lost love Gabriel, set during t ...

'' (1919) - Benedict Bellefontaine * '' Rough Riding Romance'' (1919) - The King * ''The Broken Commandments'' (1919) - Mr. Banard * ''

Her Kingdom of Dreams ''Her Kingdom of Dreams'' is a 1919 American silent drama film directed by Marshall Neilan and starring Anita Stewart, Spottiswoode Aitken, and Frank Currier Frank Currier (September 4, 1857 – April 22, 1928) was an American film and s ...

'' (1919) - David Rutledge * ''

Bonnie Bonnie Lassie ''Bonnie, Bonnie Lassie'' is a lost 1919 American comedy film directed by Tod Browning. Cast * Mary MacLaren - Alisa Graeme * Spottiswoode Aitken - Jeremiah Wishart * David Butler - David * Arthur Edmund Carewe - Archibald Loveday (as Arthur ...

'' (1919) - Jeremiah Wishart * ''

The Thunderbolt ''The Thunderbolt'' is a 1912 American silent, black-and-white short drama starring William Garwood, James Cruze, David Thompson, Jean Darnell, and Mignon Anderson. Cast * James Cruze as the dishonest broker * Mignon Anderson as the broker's ...

'' (1919) - Allan Pomeroy * ''

A Woman of Pleasure ''A Woman of Pleasure'' is a lost 1919 American silent drama film directed by Wallace Worsley and starring Blanche Sweet. It was distributed by Pathé Exchange in the United States. Cast * Blanche Sweet as Alice Dane * Wheeler Oakman as Bobby R ...

'' (1919) - Wilberforce Pace * ''Witch's Gold'' (1920) * '' The White Circle'' (1920) - Bernard Huddlestone * ''

Nomads of the North ''Nomads of the North'' is a 1920 American drama film of the North Woods co-directed and co-written by David Hartford and James Oliver Curwood, and featuring Lon Chaney, Betty Blythe, and Lewis Stone. The film was based on Curwood's own 1919 n ...

'' (1920) - Old Roland * '' Dangerous Love'' (1920) - The Father * ''

The Unknown Wife ''The Unknown Wife'' is a 1921 American silent drama film directed by William Worthington and starring Edith Roberts, Spottiswoode Aitken and Casson Ferguson. It is also known by the alternative title of ''Three at the Table''.Munden p.803 Cas ...

'' (1921) - Henry Wilburton * ''

Reputation The reputation of a social entity (a person, a social group, an organization, or a place) is an opinion about that entity typically as a result of social evaluation on a set of criteria, such as behavior or performance. Reputation is a ubiquitous ...

'' (1921) - Karl * '' At the End of the World'' (1921) * ''

Beyond Beyond may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Films * ''Beyond'' (1921 film), an American silent film * ''Beyond'' (2000 film), a Danish film directed by Åke Sandgren, OT: ''Dykkerne'' * ''Beyond'' (2010 film), a Swedish film directed b ...

'' (1921) - Rufus Southerne * ''

The Man of Courage ''The Man of Courage'' is a 1922 American silent Western film directed by E.K. Lincoln and starring Lincoln, Spottiswoode Aitken and Frederick Vroom.Serna, p. 282. Cast * E.K. Lincoln as William Gregory * Spottiswoode Aitken as Stephen Gregory ...

'' (1922) - Stephen Gregory * '' The Trap'' (1922) - The Factor * '' Monte Cristo'' (1922) - Abbé Faria * '' The Snowshoe Trail'' (1922) - John Lounsbury * ''

Manslaughter Manslaughter is a common law legal term for homicide considered by law as less culpable than murder. The distinction between murder and manslaughter is sometimes said to have first been made by the ancient Athenian lawmaker Draco in the 7th cen ...

'' (1922) - Member of the Jury (uncredited) * ''

The Young Rajah ''The Young Rajah'' is a 1922 silent film starring Rudolph Valentino. The film was based on the book ''Amos Judd'' by John Ames Mitchell. Plot After fifteen years, Joshua Judd ( Charles Ogle) tells his adopted son, Amos (Valentino), that his re ...

'' (1922) - Caleb * '' One Wonderful Night'' (1922) - Minister * '' A Dangerous Game'' (1922) - Edward Peebles * ''

Around the World in Eighteen Days ''Around the World in 18 Days'' is a 1923 American silent film serial directed by B. Reeves Eason and Robert F. Hill. A total of twelve episodes of the serial were released. The film is now considered lost. Cast * William Desmond as Phineas F ...

'' (1923) - Piggott * ''

Merry-Go-Round A carousel or carrousel (mainly North American English), merry-go-round (List of sovereign states, international), roundabout (British English), or hurdy-gurdy (an old term in Australian English, in South Australia, SA) is a type of amusement ...

'' (1923) - Minister of War / Gisella's Father * '' Six Days'' (1923) - Pere Jerome * ''

The Love Pirate ''The Love Pirate'' is a 1923 American silent drama film directed by Richard Thomas and starring Melbourne MacDowell, Carmel Myers and Kathryn McGuire.Munden p.459 Plot summary Cast * Melbourne MacDowell as Steve Carnan * Carmel Myers as Ruby ...

'' (1923) - Cyrus Revere * ''

Pioneer's Gold ''Pioneer's Gold'' is a 1924 American silent Western film directed by Victor Adamson and starring Kathryn McGuire, Pete Morrison and Virginia Warwick.Munden, p. 604. It was produced by the independent Sanford Productions. Synopsis An elderly ...

'' (1924) - Bob Hartley * ''

Triumph The Roman triumph (Latin triumphus) was a celebration for a victorious military commander in ancient Rome. For later imitations, in life or in art, see Trionfo. Numerous later uses of the term, up to the present, are derived directly or indirectl ...

'' (1924) - Torrini * ''

Lure of the Yukon ''Lure of the Yukon'' is a 1924 American silent Western film, also classified as a Northern film. It is directed by Norman Dawn and stars Eva Novak, Spottiswoode Aitken, and Buddy Roosevelt. It is set in Alaska during the Klondike Gold Rush o ...

'' (1924) - Sourdough McCraig * '' The Fire Patrol'' (1924) - Captain John Ferguson * ''

Gerald Cranston's Lady ''Gerald Cranston's Lady'' is a 1924 American silent drama film directed by Emmett J. Flynn and starring James Kirkwood, Alma Rubens, and Walter McGrail. It is based on the novel of the same title by Gilbert Frankau published the same year a ...

'' (1924) - Ephraim Brewster * '' Those Who Dare'' (1924) - Thorne Wtherell * ''

The Coast Patrol ''The Coast Patrol'' is a 1925 silent film action drama directed by Bud Barsky and starring Kenneth MacDonald with an early appearance by Fay Wray Vina Fay Wray (September 15, 1907 – August 8, 2004) was a Canadian/American actress best ...

'' (1925) - Capt. Slocum * ''The Handicap'' (1925) - Henrietta's Grandfather * ''

The Goose Woman The Goose Woman is a 1925 American silent drama film directed by Clarence Brown and starring Louise Dresser with Jack Pickford as her son. The film was released by Universal Pictures.

'' (1925) - Jacob Rigg * ''

The Eagle The eagle is a large bird of prey. Eagle or The Eagle may also refer to: Places England * Eagle, Lincolnshire, a village United States * Eagle, Alaska, a city * Eagle Village, Alaska, a census-designated place * Eagle, Colorado, a statut ...

'' (1925) - Dubrovsky's Father (uncredited) * ''

Accused Accused or The Accused may refer to: * A person suspected with committing a crime or offence; see Criminal charge ** Suspect, a known person suspected of committing a crime * The Accüsed, a 1980s Seattle crossover thrash band *''The Accused'', a ...

'' (1925) - Eagle Eye * ''

The Power of the Weak ''The Power of the Weak'' is a 1926 American silent drama film directed by William James Craft and starring Alice Calhoun, Carl Miller, and Spottiswoode Aitken.

'' (1926) - The Father * ''

The Two-Gun Man ''The Two-Gun Man'' is a 1926 American silent Western film directed by David Kirkland and starring Fred Thomson, Spottiswoode Aitken and Olive Hasbrouck. Plot A returning World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), ofte ...

'' (1926) - Dad Randall * ''

Roaring Fires ''Roaring Fires'' is a 1927 American silent drama film directed by Barry Barringer and starring Roy Stewart, Alice Lake and Lionel Belmore.Palmer p.56 It is now considered to be a lost film. Cast * Roy Stewart as David Walker * Alice Lake as Sy ...

'' (1927) - Calvert Carter * ''

The Power of the Press ''The Power of the Press'' is a 1928 American silent drama film directed by Frank Capra and starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr. as an aspiring newspaper reporter and Jobyna Ralston as a young woman suspected of murder. In 2005, the film was select ...

'' (1928) - Sports Writer (final film role)

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Aitken, Spottiswoode 1868 births 1933 deaths Scottish male film actors Scottish male silent film actors American male film actors American male silent film actors Scottish emigrants to the United States Male actors from Edinburgh Burials at Hollywood Forever Cemetery 20th-century American male actors 20th-century Scottish male actors