| James Campbell McInnes | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 January 1874 |
| Origin | Ramsbottom, Lancashire, United Kingdom |
| Died | 8 February 1945 (age 71) |
| Genres | Classical |
| Occupations | Singer, teacher |
| Instruments | Singing |
| Years active | 1899 to 1945 |
James Campbell McInnes (23 January 1874 – 8 February 1945) was a well-known English baritone singer and teacher at the turn of the 20th century, ex-husband of author Angela Thirkell and father of writer Colin MacInnes.
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He was born to parents Archibald McInnes and Mary Gallagher on the 23rd January 1874, in Ramsbottom, Lancashire.
McInnes was a baritone singer who performed for affluent Edwardian families with after-dinner recitals at their homes, and regularly appeared in concerts across England, including Leeds and Worcester. In 1919, he moved to Toronto in Canada, where he taught elocution and singing. His work aided in the development of music in Toronto; an example of which were his "Tuesday Nine O'Clocks", a series of recitals with unfamiliar renditions of little known vocal and chamber music. He also taught at the University of Toronto until his death in 1945.
James McInnes had a male lover prior to marrying Angela Mackail (later to become the author Angela Thirkell). He was known for his heavy drinking at the time of his marriage and much later on his bisexuality became known.
McInnes and Angela Mackail had two sons, Graham McInnes (1912–1970) and Colin MacInnes (1914–1976), both of whom went on to become well-known authors. They also had a third child, Mary, who lived less than 18 months. During their marriage, he was unfaithful by a dalliance with one of the servants. This infidelity led to their divorce in 1917. Angela left with her two sons and married George Thirkell, a Captain in the ANZAC forces. They had one child named Lance. In 1919, they settled in Melbourne, Australia. However, in 1930, Angela left George Thirkell and returned to England with Lance, where she wrote many books and became a well known author until her death in 1960.
Neither Colin nor Graham McInnes had any contact with their father when they were growing up. However, in 1934, Graham began a search for him and travelled along with Colin to meet him in Canada. Graham described this in a book, published in 1967 called "Finding A Father", where he writes of the search for his Father. James Campbell McInnes was apparently delighted to hear from his sons although it came as a huge surprise. Graham moved to Canada soon after their meeting.
James Campbell McInnes died some years after their meeting in 1945, he is buried in Bala, Ontario, the hometown of his Canadian lover from the Jackson family.