Henry james senior biography ideas

American Swedenborgian theologian (1811–1882)

For other people named Henry James, see Henry James (disambiguation).

Henry James Sr. (June 3, 1811 – December 18, 1882) was an American theologian and the father of the philosopher William James, the novelist Henry James, and the diarist Alice James.

Following a dramatic moment of spiritual enlightenment, he became deeply absorbed in Swedenborgianism, repudiating materialism and following the utopian path to grace. In this way, he was generally out of sympathy with contemporary American leaders of philosophical thought. His influence was felt more in frequent lively debates within his own circle of friends than in public life.

He said “I love the fireside rather than the forum."

Early life

James was born on June 3, 1811, in Albany, New York.^[1] He was one of twelve children born to Catharine (née Barber) James and William James (1771–1832), an emigrant from Bailieborough, County Cav 116 MODERN LANGUAGE NOTES, FEBRUARY, 1949 REVIEWS - JSTOR PIFU