Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/James, George (d.1795)
JAMES, GEORGE (d. 1795), portrait-painter, was born in London, and studied for some time in Rome. Establishing himself in Dean Street, Soho, London, he became a member of the Incorporated Society of Artists, and exhibited with them from 1761 to 1768.
In 1764 he exhibited a painting called 'The Death of Abel.' In the latter year he sent a large picture of the three Ladies Waldegrave, which met with severe criticism. In 1770 James was elected an associate of the Royal Academy, and up to 1779 was a regular contributor of portraits to its exhibitions. In 1780 he removed to Bath, where he practised with some success, and in 1789 and 1790 again appeared at the Royal Academy. Later he retired to Boulogne, where he died early in 1795, after suffering imprisonment during the reign of terror. Having inherited house property in Soho, and marrying a woman of some fortune, James was independent of his profession. His portraits, though carefully painted, were poorly drawn and without character.
[Edwards's Anecdotes of Painting; Sandby's Hist. of the Royal Academy; Redgrave's Dict. of Artists; Graves's Dict. of Artists, 1760-1880.]