WILLIAMSON, David (Geoffrey) 1927-2003

OBITUARY NOTICE—See index for CA sketch: Born February 25, 1927, in Haywards Heath, Sussex, England; died April 21, 2003, in London, England. Genealogist and author. Williamson was an important editor and author of genealogy books produced by Burke's Peerage and Debrett's Peerage. After being educated at Merchant Taylors', his 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 antiques 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 a coeditor, 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.

OBITUARIES AND OTHER SOURCES:

BOOKS

Writers Directory, 18th edition, St. James Press (Detroit, MI), 2003.

PERIODICALS

Independent (London, England), May 9, 2003, p. 18.

Times (London, England), May 27, 2003, p. 24.