Robert Evan James was born in Upper Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, August 9, 1848. Until his father's death in 1860 he resided at home, attended the local schools, and partially prepared for college. He subsequently became a student, temporarily, at Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, afterwards at Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania where he passed the freshman year, and was admitted to the sophomore class at Lafayette College. He graduated from Lafayette College with the class of 1869. He then entered the law office of Edward J. Fox, Esq., and was admitted to the bar in November 1872. Prior to his admission he was principal of the Easton High School. Subsequent to his admission, he at once engaged in the practice of law, in which he was highly successful. His professional abilities found recognition in his election to various positions open only to lawyers of capability — to the office of county solicitor, in 1879; to that of district' attorney of the county, in 1880; to that of city solicitor, in 1884; and in 1883 he was Democratic nominee for the judgeship in the Dauphin-Lebanon district. Shortly after his admission to the bar, Mr. James was elected to the Easton School Board, and immediately thereafter was made president of that body, and so continued until January 1, 1877, when, having been elected to the House of Representatives of the State Legislature, he resigned his connection with the school board to enter upon legislative duties. He was a member of the Legislature in the years 1877 and 1878. He early took an active interest in political affairs, as indicated by the offices held, and during the administration of President Cleveland he was appointed national bank examiner for Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and subsequently assigned as such to the city of New York, remaining in office during President Cleveland's term, and a portion of the term of President Harrison, voluntarily resigning in 1890 in order to give personal attention to the Easton Trust Company, of which he was one of the organizers. He subsequently became president of the company.

In politics, Mr. James was a Democrat of the Tillden-Cleveland school, and had no sympathy with the political wreckers who in later years have made the party an object of pity and reproach. Mr. James was an active leader in State politics for many years. He was on several occasions chairman of State conventions and of important committees. He was the chairman of the committee on resolutions which in 1896 presented for adoption a gold Democratic platform for the Democrats of Pennsylvania, and which platform was adopted by the convention almost without a dissenting voice, and when, three months later, the convention reconvened in order to readjust its political conscience and make it harmonize with the philosophy of the Platte. Mr. James, as the representative of the Democrats, who would not surrender party principles for the hope of temporary success, presented their protest upon the floor of the convention. Mr. James took great interest in banking matters, and in 1891, at the solicitation of the joint committee on banking of the Pennsylvania Legislature, especially appointed, prepared and urged to final adoption the bill establishing a banking department for the State of Pennsylvania. He also served as chairman of the Association of Trust Companies of the State of Pennsylvania.

Mr. James was a member of various Masonic bodies, and was affiliated with Dallas Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, Easton Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and Hugh de Payen Commandery, Knights Templar. He was also a member of Sigma Chi college fraternity. He was of fine personal appearance, excellent in social qualities, and his broad information and brilliant conversational powers made him an admirable acquisition to various intelligent circles. He was an eloquent speaker, and at the bar and on the rostrum made a wide reputation as an orator and advocate.