William S. James was a prominent Maryland politician, holding seats in the Maryland House of Delegates and the State Senate, and serving as State Treasurer from 1975 to 1987. The bulk of his papers dates from the the 1960's and 1970's, when James was president of the Maryland State Senate. Important subjects include the 1971 inauguration of the governor of Maryland, government ethics, and the revival and expansion of states' responsibilities on the federal level.