James

of higher standards. To a remarkable extent,
the younger workers—whether in humanistic,
scientific, or professional studies—were made to
feel that their special problems were understood.
Constantly involved in large projects, James's
treatment of academic routine was sometimes
open to criticism and during the later years of
his administration his personal associations
abroad made the World War a difficult ordeal for
himself and his family, though his wife's death in
1914 spared her the realization of what was to
follow. James hoped that American participa-
tion might be avoided; but, though cosmopolitan
in his interests, he was politically a strong na-
tionalist, and when the United States entered the
war, he was eager to help, both personally and
through the expert services of the university.
Never robust, however, he broke down under the
stress of this trying period. After a year's leave
of absence he resigned the presidency in 1920.
He died five years later at Covina, Cal. His keen
sense of the dramatic may have verged at times
on the theatrical; but he was essentially large-
minded, dealing realistically with situations and
with men while taking a human interest in indi-
viduals. Though reserved in his expression of
religious feeling, he retained his Methodist con-
nections and took a catholic interest in religious
education.

[E. J. James, The James-Stiles Geneal. (1898),
repr. from N. Y. Geneal. and Biog. Record f Apr. 1898;
Jour. III. State Hist. Soc.t Jan. 1917; Annals Am. Acad.
Political and Social Science, Jan. 1896, Mar. 1901;
Who's Who in America, 1924-25 ; The Semi-Centennial
Alumni Record of the Univ. of III. (1918), containing
select lists of publications; an exhaustive manuscript
list in the Univ. of 111. Library; biennial reports of the
Univ. of 111. trustees; World Today, Apr. 1911; In
Memoriam Edmund Janes James (Urbana, 111., 1925) ;
A. H. Wilde, Northwestern University: A Hist. 1855-
1905 (1905); Allan Nevins, Illinois (1917); Sixteen
Years at the^ Univ. of III.: A Statistical Study of the
Administration of President Edmund J. fames^ (1920);
N. Y. Times, June 20, 1925 ; personal recollections, and
correspondence with James's contemporaries,]

E.B.G.

JAMES, EDWARD CHRISTOPHER (May

i, i84i-Mar. 24,1901), lawyer, was born at Og-
denstmrg, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., the son of
Amaziah Bailey and Lucia Williams (Ripley)
James. Dr. Thomas James, his ancestor in the
eighth generation, was one of the twelve original
companions of Roger Williams. On his mother's
side his ancestors included Samuel Huntington,
a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and
the elder and younger William Bradford, early
governors of Plymouth Colony. His grandfather
and his great-grandfather were lawyers of estab-
lished reputations and his father was for twenty-
three years a justice of the supreme court of New
York. His early education began at common

James

schools. Later he studied at the academy at Og-
densburg and at Dr. Reed's Walnut Hill School
at Geneva, N. Y. He engaged in the study of law
and at the age of twenty was preparing himself
for admission to the bar when the Civil War be-
gan. Abandoning his law studies, he promptly
enlisted, being appointed adjutant of the $oth
New York Volunteers. He was rapidly pro-
moted. He became assistant adjutant-general
and aide-de-camp to General Woodbury, major
of the 6oth New York Infantry, lieutenant-colo-
nel of the io6th New York Infantry, and later
colonel, serving in the West Virginia campaign.
Although scarcely twenty-two years of age, upon
several occasions he was in command of a bri-
gade. Owing to physical disability incurred in
the service, he was compelled to retire from the
field in the spring of 1863. In later years he
often stated he was a graduate of the University
of the Army of the Potomac and knew' of none
better for the making of men.

Resuming his law studies upon his return to
Ogdensburg, he was admitted to the bar in Oc-
tober 1863 and began to practise at Ogdensburg.
In 1864 he formed a partnership with Stillman
Foote, surrogate of St. Lawrence County. After
a successful practice for ten years, James en-
gaged in practice alone for seven years. His suc-
cess before courts and juries was winning him
a growing reputation and a large practice of lo-
cal important cases. In 1881 he again formed a
partnership, associating himself with A. R. Her-
riman, later a surrogate of St. Lawrence County.
Feeling that his talents demanded a wider field,
he left Herriman in charge of his Ogdensburg
practice and in January 1882 went to New York,
practically unknown. For some years he prac-
tised alone but in 1896 he formed the'firm of
James, Schell & Elkus, of which he remained a
member until his death. His energy, natural tal-
ents, and ability speedily won him recognition,
and his practice embraced cases of every kind
His skill in cross-examination was especially
noteworthy. Of all the cases which he tried pos-
sibly that of Laidlaw vs. Sage (158 N. Y., 74)
attracted the most attention. The action arose
out of the explosion of a bomb in the office of
Russell Sage. Laidlaw; the plaintiff, represented
by Joseph Hodges Choate, had shielded Russell
Sage from possible danger, thereby incurring
painful injuries. Popular sentiment plus Choate's
brilliancy won for' Laidlaw a favorable verdict
and large damages in the lower court. This deci-
sion was sustained by the judges of the appellate
division. Undeterred, James, representing Rus-
sell Sage, the defendant, carried the case to the
court of appeals. The ultimate verdict, a com-

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