James Brown Atholwood (c. 1864 â 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. He was convicted of bigamy after a public trial.
Atholwood was a son of James Wood and Catherine Fulton Brown.
He learned his stagecraft from William Hoskins, and played in:
Atholwood lived his last years in retirement at his home "Akhnaton" on Diamond Bay Road, Vaucluse. His hobbies included butterfly collecting and creating plaster cameo portraits.
He died as the result of a stroke, following an operation. His remains were interred at the South Head Cemetery.
Atholwood married Ethel Ruby Yelverton in 1897, believing her previous marriage to Barry Marshall had been annulled. She left him and later had him charged with committing bigamy with Lillias May Townshend in May 1902. He was found guilty but there were mitigating circumstances and he was released before serving half his sentence. In 1908 Yelverton sued him for maintenance in circumstances which gave the appearance of vindictiveness. 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.
His children were: