James was educated at George Watson’s College and Royal High School, and Edinburgh University, where he graduated M.B. and C.M. in 1887, and M.D., with honours in 1895, he also took the M.A. at Cambridge (Caius College) in 1905. After filing the post of senior resident surgeon and assistant to the professor of clinical surgery in the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, of extra assistant physician to the Royal Asylum, Edinburgh, and of medical officer of health of Fettercairn, he settled at Cambridge. He was granted a commission in the R.A.M.C. (T.F.) as Captain in the 1st Eastern General Hospital (Cambridge) from 22nd March 1915. He died in Cambridge. James was the son of the late Rev. James Simpson, L.L.D. of Dysart, Fife; and the husband of Margaret Primrose Simpson of Trinity Mansion Hotel, Eastbourne. His name is commemorated on the wall around the Cross of Sacrifice at Kensal Green (All Soul's) Cemetery. [Information sources: British Medical Journal and Edinburgh University Roll of Honour (Headstone photograph courtesy of Maggie Tyler)]