James J. Williams (1853-April 19, 1926) was an English-born photographer in theKingdom of Hawaii. He worked forMenzies Dickson and then bought out Dickson's studio in 1882.[1]
James J. Williams was born inEngland in 1853. At some point his family came to theUnited States, and he learned photography after theAmerican Civil War. He passed through theHawaiian Islands in 1879 fromSan Francisco where he worked for photographers I.W. Taber and Jacob Shew. He worked his way playing theviolin on a ship to entertain passengers.[2] In 1880 he returned toHonolulu and worked in the studio ofMenzies Dickson (who lived about 1840–1891).[3]
In February 1882 he bought Dickson's photography business and changed the name to J. Williams & Company. He published a bookletTourists’ Guide for the Hawaiian Islands in 1882, and took pictures for other early guidebooks.[4] The studio and gallery were at 102 and 104 Fort Street in Honolulu.
Williams advertised "the only gallery in Honolulu which has a complete collection of island views... Also, a supply of Hawaiian and South Sea Island curiosities, ferns, shells, &c.".[5] He seems to have reestablished the business in 1883, since that is the year used in advertisements.
In 1888, during the reign of KingKalakaua, who was a frequent photographic subject of his, Williams founded the monthly tourist magazineParadise of the Pacific with a royal charter from the king.[6]He served as business manager with editor Frank Godfrey until 1893.[7] Another popular portrait subject was PrincessKaʻiulani, and visitors such asRobert Louis Stevenson. He also took many landscape photos. Heavy equipment was often hauled up to erupting volcanoesKilauea andMauna Loa, and theVolcano House Hotel.
Williams died on April 19, 1926, after he was hit by a streetcar while crossing Hotel Street. He was buried inOahu Cemetery.
His son James Anthony Williams was born in 1883 and worked at theHonolulu Advertiser in 1899. He married Minnie Lancaster on March 23, 1904.[8] He later became the chief photographer of the newspaper.
Grandson Alex Williams (d. May 1988) continued the business, taking many photos of the industrial development of the city ofHonolulu.[2]His great-grandson Matt Williams owned the company in 2009.[9] TheParadise of the Pacific evolved intoHonolulu magazine, which claims to be the oldest magazine published in the US west of theMississippi River.[10]
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