Early years, 1843–1883 thumb|Henry James, age 11, with his father, Henry James Sr. – 1854 daguerreotype by Mathew Brady James was born at 21 Washington Place (facing Washington Square) in New York City on 15 April 1843. His parents were Mary Walsh and Henry James Sr. His father was intelligent and steadfastly congenial. He was a lecturer and philosopher who had inherited independent means from his father, an Albany banker and investor. Mary came from a wealthy family long settled in New York City. Her sister Katherine lived with her adult family for an extended period of time. Henry Jr. was one of four boys, the others being William, who was one year his senior, and younger brothers Wilkinson (Wilkie) and Robertson. His younger sister was Alice. Both of his parents were of Irish and Scottish descent.Kaplan, Fred. Henry James: The Imagination of Genius, A Biography. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1992.
early years 1843–1883 thumb|henry james age 11 with his father henry james sr – 1854 daguerreotype by mathew brady james was born at 21 washington place (facing washington square) in new york city on 15 april 1843 his parents were mary walsh and henry james sr his father was intelligent and steadfastly congenial he was a lecturer and philosopher who had inherited independent means from his father an albany banker and investor mary came from a wealthy family long settled in new york city her sister katherine lived with her adult family for an extended period of time henry jr was one of four boys the others being william who was one year his senior and younger brothers wilkinson (wilkie) and robertson his younger sister was alice both of his parents were of irish and scottish descentkaplan fred henry james the imagination of genius a biography baltimore the johns hopkins university press 1992