William Friese-Greene | |
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![]() Friese-Greene c. 1890 | |
Born | William Edward Green 7 September 1855 Bristol, England |
Died | 5 May 1921 London, England | (aged 65)
Resting place | Highgate Cemetery |
Nationality | British |
Occupation | Inventor • photographer |
Known for | Motion pictures • printing • photography |
Spouse(s) | Victoria Mariana Helena Friese (m. 1874-1895, her death) Edith Jane Harrison (m. 1897-1921; his death) |
Children | 7, including Claude |
Relatives | Tim Friese-Greene (great-grandson) |
William Friese-Greene (born William Edward Green, 7 September 1855 – 5 May 1921) was a prolific English inventor and professional photographer. He was known as a pioneer in the field of motion pictures, having devised a series of cameras between 1888–1891 and shot moving pictures with them in London. He went on to patent an early two-colour filming process in 1905. Wealth came with inventions in printing, including phototypesetting and a method of printing without ink, and from a chain of photographic studios. However, Friese-Greene spent all his money on inventing, went bankrupt three times, was jailed once, and died in poverty.