William James emigrated to Canada from England in 1906.  Shortly afterwards he established himself as a commercial photographer.  He was one of the first news photographers in Toronto, supplying images to the seven or eight dailies and weeklies.  The Daily Star was James’ best customer, buying his photos until 1938.  For a time his sons Joseph, William Jr., and Norman worked in the business with him.

James was particularly noted for his technical expertise and sense of composition.  He was one of the first photographers to recognize the value and potential impact of unposed, human-interest snapshots.  This immediacy and informality resulted in candid, often humorous and sometimes dramatic documentary photos.

In 1976, the City of Toronto Archives acquired the William James collection of 6,000 photos and negatives.  Another 5,000 lantern slides, many hand-coloured, were acquired later.  James’ images remain some of the most popular and frequently published of the Archives’ collections.

Index of Work in this Exhibit:

Strolling in a Rosedale ravine. City of Toronto Archives, SC 244-1261 c. 1907 

Girls tending youngsters. City of Toronto Archives, SC 244-8029 c. 1911 

Strolling along a Toronto beach. City of Toronto Archives, SC 244-8045 c. 1922 

Boys in the Humber River at Lambton Bridge. City of Toronto Archives, SC 244-8163 c. 1911 

A rowboat outing at Toronto Island. City of Toronto Archives, SC 244-3566 1910 

Toboggans and sleds on a Rosedale slope. City of Toronto Archives, SC 244-463A 1912 

Playing shinny in Willowvale Park. City of Toronto Archives, SC 244-460B c. 1909 

Swimmers opposite Hanlan's Hotel, Toronto Island. City of Toronto Archives, SC 244-163 1907 

Front yard, downtown house. City of Toronto Archives, SC 244-3031 c. 1930 

Children's quadracycle on Rowanwood Avenue. City of Toronto Archives, SC 244-1297 c. 1912 

Children's cart on Major Street. City of Toronto Archives, SC 244-8206 c. 1911 

Hitching a wagon ride on a suburban street. City of Toronto Archives, SC 244-36 1907 

Bicycling on Lake Shore Road at Mimico Creek. City of Toronto Archives, SC 244-206 c. 1907 

Rolling bicycle rims on Chestnut Street. City of Toronto Archives, SC 244-39.24 1922 

On the way to school, Sully Crescent. City of Toronto Archives, SC 244-7214 1907 

Listening to a fiddler on a Toronto street. City of Toronto Archives, SC 244-132 c. 1915 

Skipping rope on Clifford Street. City of Toronto Archives, SC 244-47.10 c. 1917 

Playing hockey on Major Street. City of Toronto Archives, SC 244-84.34 c. 1920 

In a pond at Willowvale Park. City of Toronto Archives, SC 244-7289 c. 1910 

Looking at a regulation sign in Willowvale Park. City of Toronto Archives, SC 244-2557 c. 1914 

At and on the gates at Grange Park. City of Toronto Archives, SC 244-48.14 1925 

Midway booth, Canadian National Exhibition. City of Toronto Archives, SC 244-76.36 c. 1915 

Swimming lesson, McGill Street Young Women's Christian Association. City of Toronto Archives, SC 244-2558 1908 

Girl skaters from the Old Orchard Skating Club. City of Toronto Archives, SC 244-1367 c. 1920 

Submerged canoe, Sunnyside Free Bathing Station. City of Toronto Archives, SC 244-222 c. 1910 

Swimmers, Don Free Bathing Station. City of Toronto Archives, SC 244-8.3 c. 1918 

Swimming lesson, Don Free Bathing Station. City of Toronto Archives, SC 244-7339 c. 1920 

Toboggan slides, High Park. City of Toronto Archives, SC 244-481 c. 1919 

Festival, Elizabeth Street Playground. City of Toronto Archives, SC 244-2205 c. 1913 

Sunday parade, Elizabeth Street Playground. Toronto Reference Library, T 13357 1922 

Children's garden, Hillcrest Public School. City of Toronto Archives, SC 244-8212 c. 1917