James A. Porter (c. 1836 – 1897) was an American educator, musician, and author active in the late nineteenth century. Born in Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio, Porter's early life and career were deeply intertwined with music and military service. During the American Civil War, he served as a bugler and bandmaster. Following the war, he established himself as a music teacher, instructing students in the Ohio municipalities of Galion, Urbana, and Greenville.
After retiring from his career in music education, Porter turned his attention to creative writing. His literary efforts culminated in the publication of his novel, A Prince of Anahuac: A Histori-Traditional Story, which was published by The Crawford Company of Galion, Ohio, in 1894. Porter passed away a few years later, on January 13, 1897, leaving behind this singular historical-traditional narrative as his primary literary legacy.
