James Alton James

Born in 1864 and active well into the 20th century, he became known as an American historian whose work focused especially on the American West and on Wisconsin history. He taught for many years and built a reputation as a careful scholar as well as a dedicated educator.

His career is closely connected with the University of Wisconsin, where he was part of the growth of professional historical study in the United States. He also wrote and edited books that helped bring regional and frontier history to a wider audience.

He died in 1962. Archival records and later biographical material suggest a long, productive life in scholarship, with papers and memoir materials preserved for researchers interested in his work and era.