Born at his father's residence, Walthamstow House, Essex, on 5 November 1793, James was educated privately and at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A.
[3] Supported by his wife's family interest, Wigram fought an election for Leominster on Tory principles in 1837, but was defeated at the poll.
[1] On 28 October 1841 Wigram was raised to the bench under the act for the better administration of justice (5 Vict.
He was sworn a member of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council on 15 January 1842, and received the customary knighthood the same month.
Wigram was compelled by ill-health, resulting in the total loss of sight, to retire from the bench in Trinity vacation 1850, when he was granted a pension of £3,500 a year.