George Wharton James (1858–1923) was an English-born American lecturer, photographer, journalist, and editor who became a prolific writer on the American West. Born in Lincolnshire, England, James was ordained as a Methodist minister before emigrating to the United States as a young man. Upon his arrival, he served in various Methodist parishes across Nevada and Southern California, experiences that would lay the groundwork for his subsequent writing career.
As he transitioned away from full-time ministry, James gradually established himself in journalism and public lecturing. He served as the editor of two magazines and authored more than forty books, in addition to writing numerous articles and pamphlets. His extensive body of work focused primarily on the landscapes, culture, and history of California and the American Southwest, helping to popularize the region for a broader American audience.
