John Barnes (historian)

John Stuart Lloyd Barnes (28 June 1920 – 1 June 2008) was a British film historian specialising in the early history of cinema. He is best known for a five-volume history titled The Beginnings of the Cinema in England, 1894-1901.

Barnes was born in London in 1920. He had a twin brother named William. Their father worked for the family's piano manufacturing business, W.H. Barnes, but died when they were 12 years old. They were educated at Canford School in Wimborne, Dorset.

John Barnes and his brother shared an interest in film from an early age, beginning after the death of their father when an uncle gave them a 9.5 mm film projector. After this, they acquired a camera and began making films about Kent and Cornwall. They also set up a cinema at their school.

Barnes was the author of the five-volume history titled The Beginnings of the Cinema in England, 1894-1901.

Barnes died from cancer in June 2008, aged 87. He was survived by his partner, brother, and son William.

...
Wikipedia