David Geoffrey Williamson

Background

David Williamson was born on February 25, 1927, in Haywards Heath, Sussex, England, United Kingdom. He was the son of Geoffrey and his wife, Margaret Lloyd Roberts. His father was a writer and journalist.

Education

David Williamson was educated at Merchant Taylors' School.

Career

After school, David Williamson's first job was as an assistant for educational publisher Geoffrey Bles Ltd. in London. His fascination for genealogy eventually led him to a job at Burke’s Peerage in 1950, where he was an editorial assistant and then publisher’s assistant. The job was only part-time, however, and so he also ran an antique shop and worked as a pasta maker to earn extra income.

His happiest years came after he was hired in 1983 by Debrett’s as co-editor, and it was while there that he produced most of his books, including Debrett’s Kings and Queens of Britain (1986), Debrett's Presidents of the United States of America (1989), and Debrett’s Guide to Heraldry and Regalia (1992). He also edited five editions of Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage and edited Debrett's Distinguished People of Today (revised as Debrett's People of Today). More recently, he wrote British Royalty (1996) and History of the Kings and Queens of England (1998).

In addition to his writing, editing, and research, Williamson was a broadcaster who was in high demand for his expertise on such subjects as royal marriage ceremonies and protocol. His willingness to help genealogy researchers led to his cameo appearance in the 2003 Rowan Atkinson movie Johnny English when the producers asked him for some information and cast him in the role of the Dean of Westminster in gratitude for his assistance.

He was a vice-president and former chairman of the professional Association of Genealogists and Record Agents. Williamson served on the executive committee of the English Genealogical Congress.

Achievements

• David Williamson was regarded as the doyen of genealogists. He was an important editor and author of genealogy books produced by Burke’s Peerage and Debrett’s Peerage. His works were highly praised by colleagues.

Works

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  • Debrett's Distinguished People of Today

    (Alphabetically-arranged biographical listings provide fam...)

    1990
  • Debrett's Guide to Heraldry and Regalia

    (From the late twelfth century kings and noblemen began to...)

    1992
  • Debrett's Presidents of the United States of America

    (Offers profiles of each American president from George Wa...)

    1989
  • History of the Kings and Queens of England

    (David Williamson presents a wealth of facts and anecdotes...)

    1998
  • Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage

    (Debrett is a source of genealogical reference to Britain'...)

    2000
  • Brewer's British Royalty

    (An A-Z guide covering over 1000 years of the monarchy in ...)

    1996
  • Debrett's Kings and Queens of Britain 1986
  • Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage 1985
  • Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage 1990
  • Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage 1995

Membership

David Williamson was a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London. He was a fellow and honorary life member of the Society of Genealogists.

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  Society of Antiquaries of London , United Kingdom

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  Society of Genealogists , United Kingdom

Personality

David Williamson's one-time habit of wearing a black polo-neck under his suit and dark glasses even on a dull winter's day provoked the nickname "The Burglar" amongst a few friends.

Connections

David Williamson didn't have his own family.

Father:

Geoffrey Williamson

Mother:

Margaret Lloyd Roberts

References

• Contemporary Authors
  2011