James G. King

James Gore King was born on May 8, 1791, in New York City, at the residence of his maternal grandfather. He was the third son of Mary (née Alsop) King and Rufus King. His father served as the first United States Senator from New York and held the positions of U.S. Minister to the United Kingdom under Presidents George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and John Quincy Adams. His siblings included John Alsop King, who served as Governor of New York; Charles King, who was the president of Columbia University; and Edward King, an Ohio politician.

King's paternal grandparents were Isabella (née Bragdon) King and Richard King, a successful farmer-merchant. His maternal grandparents were Mary (née Frogat) Alsop and John Alsop, a prominent merchant and Continental Congressman. His extended family included uncles William King, the first Governor of Maine, and Cyrus King, a U.S. Representative from Massachusetts.

He pursued classical studies in England and France before returning to the United States to graduate from Harvard University in 1810. He studied law under Peter van Schaack of Kinderhook and later attended Litchfield Law School in Connecticut. During the War of 1812, he served as assistant adjutant general of the New York Militia under Major General Ebenezer Stevens.

Following the war, King established a commission house in New York City with his father-in-law, Archibald Gracie, under the name James G. King and Company. In 1818, he relocated to Liverpool, England, where he founded King & Gracie with his brother-in-law, Archibald Gracie Jr. Despite economic crises in 1822–1824, he maintained his financial obligations and closed his business satisfactorily. During his time in Liverpool, he developed a close friendship with John Jacob Astor and was considered to be offered the presidency of the American Fur Company, an offer he declined.

In 1824, King returned to New York City and engaged in banking as a partner in the firm Prime & Ward, which later became Prime, Ward & King. He resided in Weehawken, New Jersey. In 1835, he succeeded Eleazar Lord as president of the Erie Railroad; however, he did not receive a salary for this role. His tenure lasted until 1837, during which he facilitated a significant loan of approximately $1 million from the Bank of England to American bankers.

In 1834, King was an unsuccessful candidate for Congress in New York City. He was later elected as a Whig representative for New Jersey's 5th congressional district, serving one term from March 4, 1849, to March 3, 1851. He served alongside his older brother, John Alsop King. During his term, he was a member of the Committee of Commerce and opposed the repeal of the Missouri Compromise and the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. Upon the death of President Zachary Taylor in 1850, King was considered for the position of U.S. Secretary of the Treasury but declined the appointment, stating his intention to retire from public service.

After leaving Congress, King resumed his banking activities. The firm he had worked for had dissolved, and he established James G. King & Son.

In his personal life, King married Sarah Rogers Gracie on February 4, 1813. She was the daughter of Archibald Gracie, a Scottish-born shipping magnate. They had eleven children, many of whom married into prominent families. Some of his children included Caroline King, James Gore King Jr., Archibald Gracie King, Mary King, Frederika Gore King, Edward King, and Fanny King.

King died on October 3, 1853, at his country estate called "Highwood" near Weehawken, New Jersey, from a condition described as congestion of the lungs. He was buried in the churchyard of Grace Church in Jamaica, New York.

His descendants include May Denning King, who married John King Van Rensselaer; their descendant, Ellin Travers Mackay, married Irving Berlin. Through his youngest daughter Fanny, King was grandfather to Robert McLane, the 32nd Mayor of Baltimore.