James Watson Webb was born on February 8, 1802, in Claverack, New York, to Samuel Blatchley and Catherine (Hogeboom) Webb. After a distinguished stint of service in the Army, where he obtained the rank of regimental-adjutant, James retired to the Hudson River region where he worked as editor of the New York Courier. In 1829, he purchased the Enquirer and combined the papers under the Morning Courier and New York Enquirer, which served as a mouthpiece for the Whig party. In 1842, James was involved in an illegal duel with Thomas E. Marshall, later pardoned by Governor William H. Seward. in 1843, Webb became Engineer-in-Chief of the State of New York with the rank of Major-General. In 1849, he was appointed U.S. Minister to Austria, but was rejected by the Senate. In 1861, he was appointed Minister to Brazil where he assisted in successful efforts to remove the French from Mexico. After his diplomatic service, James published several works including "Altowan, or Incidents of Life and Adventure in the Rocky Mountains" and "Slavery and Its Tendencies." James married twice; first, Helen Lispenard Stewart in 1823 with whom he had eight children, and second, Laura Virginia Cram in 1849 with whom he had five children. James died in New York City on June 7, 1884.