The son of George Virtue, printer and publisher of distinguished illustrated books, James Sprent Virtue worked for his father from an early age, and in 1855 took over his father's position in the firm Arthur Hall, Virtue and Co. When that partnership dissolved in 1862 he continued the publishing tradition of his father, as J. S. Virtue. He also continued as a large, prosperous printer offering services to other publishers.
In this way, J. S. Virtue became a creditor of the publisher Strahan and Company, and in 1872 took over that company and formed a partnership with the stationer Thomas Spalding and Frederick Daldy, who were also Strahan creditors, to continue to publish material previously owned by Strahan. Strahan's former partner, William Isbister, was the manager of the new firm. A series of subsidiary companies were formed, including W. Isbister and Company (1873), Daldy, Isbister and Company (1874), Isbister and Company Ltd and William Isbister Limited (both 1878).
Virtue continued to publish his own titles, and the Art Journal, under his own name. When he died in 1892 the company was continued by his son Hubert, the name becoming H. Virtue and Company Limited in 1899.
