William Dodge James, was the son of a wealthy American merchant, who was raised and educated in England. He married Evelyn Elizabeth Forbes, daughter of the 4th Baronet of Newe, who became a celebrated society hostess of the period. James was a big game hunter and Edward, Prince of Wales, was one of the frequent visitors to their West Dean country estate in West Sussex.

Edward Frank Willis James was a British poet known for his patronage of the surrealist art movement.