author
James Alton James
1864–1962
A longtime Northwestern University historian and educator, he helped shape the study of American history while also building graduate education at the university. His books and teaching brought early American history and civics to generations of students.
1 Audiobook
Our Government: Local, State, and National: Idaho Edition
by James Alton James, Albert Hart Sanford
About the author
Born in Wisconsin in 1864, he studied at Platteville Normal School and the University of Wisconsin, where he graduated as valedictorian. He later earned a Ph.D. in history from Johns Hopkins University and went on to build a long academic career centered on American history.
He joined Northwestern University in 1897 as a professor of history and remained there until his retirement in 1935. In addition to teaching, he served as the first dean of Northwestern's Graduate School, helping to develop its graduate programs during the early 20th century.
He is remembered both as a scholar and as a teacher. His published work included books on American history and government, and his career reflected a steady commitment to making history and public life understandable to students and general readers.