James Hall
James Hall was an influential American writer and public figure born in Philadelphia in 1793. Initially pursuing a career in law, he shifted his focus to military service during the War of 1812, where he distinguished himself as a hero in key battles. Following the war, Hall resumed his law studies and established a legal practice in Shawneetown, Illinois, while also beginning his writing career with a series titled "Letters from the West." His literary contributions included editing several publications, such as the Illinois Gazette and Illinois Intelligencer, and he was involved in the founding of the Illinois Magazine.
Hall's literary work is noted for its detailed descriptions and a leisurely writing style, often highlighting supernatural legends and the experiences of life in the West. He published notable collections like "Legends of the West" and "Tales of the Border," alongside his nonfiction book, "Sketches of History, Life, and Manners in the West." Despite receiving mixed critical reception, Hall’s storytelling and dedication to portraying the American West have earned him a lasting place in early American literature. He later transitioned into banking, becoming president of the Commercial Bank of Cincinnati, where he stayed active for many years.
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Subject Terms
James Hall
Author
- Born: July 29, 1793
- Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Died: July 5, 1868
- Place of death: Cincinnati, Ohio
Biography
James Hall was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1793. He gave up the study of law to join the army in 1812 and was lauded as a hero at the battle of Lundy’s Lane and the siege of Fort Erie. After the War of 1812, he was appointed an officer to a naval vessel which accompanied the squadron of Admiral Stephen Decatur, a naval hero, during a battle in the Mediterranean Sea. In 1815, Hall was stationed at Newport, Rhode Island, before he resumed his law studies in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
In 1820, Hall began a law practice in the town of Shawneetown, Illinois, where he also began to write his series, “Letters from the West,” published first in the Philadelphia Portfolio and later in England. Soon after, he began editing the Illinois Gazette and was appointed circuit attorney for ten counties. He later became judge for the same circuit and after four years was appointed treasurer of Illinois. At the same time, he continued writing letters for the Portfolio, edited the Illinois Intelligencer, and contributed poems and other pieces to Flint’s Western Review in Cincinnati, under the pseudonym Orlando.
In 1829, Hall contributed poems to The Western Souvenir, a Christmas and New Year’s Gift Book, the first annual of the West. The Western Souvenir consisted of eighteen monthly volumes containing 324 pages, embellished with steel engravings of various cities and Western characters; the publication remains highly regarded for its portrayal of the early literature and art of the American West. In 1830, Hall founded Illinois Magazine, based in Vandalia, Illinois, and he published this periodical for two years before he relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he established The Western Monthly, a literary periodical. In 1836, he became cashier of the Commercial Bank of Cincinnati and remained with this organization for many years, eventually becoming the bank’s president in 1853.
Hall’s short-story collections, Legends of the West, Tales of the Border, and The Wilderness and the War Path, arguably contain his best stories. However, he is better known, although not as highly regarded by critics, for his nonfiction book, Sketches of History, Life, and Manners in the West. Hall’s work is characterized by a leisurely writing style, amiable voice, and detailed descriptions. He creates suspense through his portrayal of supernatural legends. Hall strongly believed in presenting accurate portrayals of places and characters, but he has been criticized for his overly elaborate descriptions and excessive sentiment.