author
James Sprunt
1846–1924
A Scottish-born Wilmington businessman turned local historian, he wrote with affection and detail about the Cape Fear region he helped shape. His books blend civic pride, memory, and storytelling in a way that still gives readers a strong sense of place.
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About the author
Born in Glasgow on June 9, 1846, he moved with his family to North Carolina as a child and later made Wilmington his home. He became known there as an exporter and civic leader, and he was also remembered as a philanthropist with a deep interest in the history and traditions of the Lower Cape Fear.
Alongside his business life, he built a reputation as a writer and regional historian. His best-known works include Tales and Traditions of the Lower Cape Fear, 1661-1896 and Chronicles of the Cape Fear River, books that helped preserve local stories, people, and events for later generations.
He died on July 9, 1924. For readers today, his work offers more than facts alone: it opens a window onto coastal North Carolina through the eyes of someone who cared deeply about its past.