I’m hoping to discover more of the life and career of J Dixon-Scott, a photographer who became well-known in the 1920s and 1930s, partly through the publication of several illustrated books, such as “The beauty of Hampshire” (1927), “The beauty of Somerset” (1930), and “The English countryside” (1935); he also took many photographs for Valentine’s of Dundee. About 14,000 of his photographs were acquired by the National Archives after the war. ArtUK gives his dates as 1890-1977, but I’ve been unable to verify that and I’ve begun to wonder if JD-S was a pen name. Manning Fine Art gives his forename as John, whereas MW Books states it was James. Can anybody help, for example pointing me to an obituary or other useful source?
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If it's the same one (and the address ties in with a J Dixon-Scott as a RPS member) then it was James. He experienced bankruptcy in 1923 and the report gives some of his life story. He was in the Royal Flying Corps. He was an Associate and then Fellow of the RPS. His collection of 'scenic photography' over 25 years was acquired by the British Council in 1945. That was then taken over by the Central Office of Information (and included work from Howard Coster, Harold White and J Allen Cash).
According to BDM records he was born in Wandsworth in 1892, married in Wandsworth in 1944 (may be a second marriage as his daughter Jean Shirley Dixon-Scott had an engagement announcement in 1940). Died in 1972 in Salisbury. You might find a will and some of this may be cross checked. Again, forename was always James. Credits to James Dixon-Scott FRPS appeared in Tatler in 1950s.
He doesn't appear in the 1921 Census but other sources suggest he was overseas photographing. I cannot find an obituary but he may have been forgotten by the time of his death.
Hope that helps.
It helps a great deal, thank you Michael
He joined the RPS in 1933, gained his Associateship in 1934 and Fellowship in 1935. In 1949 his address was c/o Press Club, London. No record after that. There is more detail on his early life in the bankruptcy report. you want it.
Thanks, Michael .... could you please tell me the source of the bankruptcy report you mention? I found, in the London Gazette, only the date of the order, but no details. Thanks
British Journal of Photography. I have the relevant volumes at home and will email you the pages.
That's much appreciated .... thank you