James Harper, a merchant and brick manufacturer who had recently retired from the United States Congress, was the first person to build on the square, buying most of the north frontage, erecting a stately townhouse for himself at 1811 Walnut Street (c. 1840).
James Bond | James Joyce | James Brown | James Cook | James Stewart | James II of England | James Garner | James | James Cameron | James Taylor | James Madison | James May | Stephen Harper | Henry James | James Cagney | James II | James Caan | Harper's Bazaar | James Earl Jones | LeBron James | James Monroe | James Franco | Harper's Magazine | James I | William James | James Wyatt | James, son of Zebedee | James Dean | James A. Garfield | Etta James |
James was instrumental at securing the former home of James Harper in Rittenhouse Square which led to the renaming of the exclusive men's club.
James Harper McDonald died at the age of 73 and was buried in Fishing Creek Cemetery, Roulette, Pennsylvania.