[1] James went to school at Ham, Surrey before joining Glasgow University where he showed a talent in languages and astronomy.

Joining as a cadet, he went to India in 1799 and became a lieutenant in the 18th Madras native infantry by December 1800 before becoming an aide-de-camp to Sir George Barlow.

Coorg was administered from Mercara most of the year but during the monsoon, the office was shifted west to Kushalnagar which went for a period by the name of Fraserpet.

This period was a difficult one and disputes with Lord Dalhousie led him to resign in 1852 and return to England.

Fraser became blind towards the end of his life and died at Twickenham Park on 22 August 1869.