Early life and education He was born on January 13, 1908 in Waterford, Connecticut. He graduated as a mechanical engineer from Yale University in 1930.[2] In 1933 he began teaching mathematics at Lake Forest Academy. Career James held the post of professor of design at the University of California, Berkeley from 1956 to 1975.[4] He was known for his art of crafting wood into thin bowls and platters,[5] having qualities similar to that of glass or ceramics.[6][7] He made over 400 sculptures throughout his career.[8] His work is held in the collections of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Museum of Modern Art and the Art Institute of Chicago.[4][5][7] Death He died of heart failure on July 26, 1993.[2]