James Hall was born in Victoria, and worked as a tutor on country properties. He also taught at Scotch College, Melbourne, and was a founding member of staff at Grimwade House, the junior school of Melbourne Church of England Boy's Grammar School.
Hall felt his nature stories were the result of his success with young students at the school. It was said that Hall 'has discovered the secret of interesting the mind of youth in the beauties and the interest that lies around us all in the Australian bush.' (The Australian Wonder Book, 193?)
Hall also wrote two unpublished manuscripts, 'The Beautiful Valley' (1928) and 'Between the Lines' (1933). Publication of the latter was delayed by Hall at the request of the then headmaster of Melbourne Grammar because of concerns that the characters and events might be linked to the school.
