author
James A. (James Alexander) Henshall
1836–1925
Remembered as the "apostle of the black bass," this physician-naturalist helped turn American fishing into a serious subject for both science and sport. His lively writing and deep knowledge of game fish made him one of the best-known angling authors of his time.
2 Audiobooks
Bass, Pike, Perch, and Others
by James A. (James Alexander) Henshall
Favorite Fish and Fishing
by James A. (James Alexander) Henshall
About the author
Born in Baltimore in 1836, James Alexander Henshall trained as a physician but became widely known for his writing on fish and fishing. He built a reputation as an observant naturalist as well as a practical outdoorsman, bringing together medical training, field experience, and a gift for clear explanation.
Henshall is best known for championing black bass, earning the nickname "apostle of the black bass." His books and articles helped shape how generations of American anglers thought about game fish, especially through works such as Book of the Black Bass and later Bass, Pike, Perch and Other Game Fishes of America. He also served as mayor of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, from 1868 to 1870.
He died in 1925, but his influence lasted well beyond his lifetime. For readers interested in the history of American outdoor writing, Henshall stands out as a key early voice who treated fishing as both an art and a subject worth studying closely.