He composed the tune of the Welsh national anthem Hen Wlad fy Nhadau (also known as Land of my Fathers).

James was born on 4 November 1832, at the 'Ancient Druid Inn', Hollybush, in the parish of Bedwellty, Monmouthshire.

[1] His father, a Welsh poet who wrote under the pen-name of leuan ab lago, moved with his family to Pontypridd, where he carried on the business of weaver and wool merchant, in about 1844.

His father, Evan James, wrote the lyrics that eventually became the words of the Welsh national anthem.

[2] He was buried in the local cemetery at Aberdare, in the same grave as his wife Cecilia and daughter Louisa.