A Virginian born on September 25, 1820, James Philemon Holcombe taught law at the University of Virginia. He advocated for Virginia’s secession from the Union. Holcombe served as a member of the Confederate Congress from 1861-1863, and Confederate commissioner to Canada from 1863-1865. After the war, he served as a principal for a high school in Virginia. An active writer, James Holcombe, contributed to various periodicals including the Virginia Historical Society’s publication. He died in Virginia on August 26, 1873.