Today in History: Billy Bitzer & the Biograph Company

Billy Bitzer seated at movie projector

Today in History–April 28–the Library of Congress features Billy Bitzer, who filmed the short comedy Stealing a Dinner for the American Mutoscope & Biograph Company on this date in 1899. Bitzer was a great pioneer of early film and shot thousands of movies, including the infamous The Birth of a Nation. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to view some of these early films and more related resources.

“Billy” Bitzer films Stealing a Dinner from America’s Library

Pioneer Cameramen — The Life of a City: Early Films of New York, 1898-1906

The Cabinet of Curiosities: Biograph Company Pay Slips | Now See Hear! blog November 11, 2014

American Mutoscope and Biograph Company films

Historical newspaper coverage related to photographer Bitzer

Historical newspaper coverage related to cameraman Bitzer

Biograph Company historical newspaper coverage

Primary Source Spotlight: Film & Video