Background
James was born in New York City in 1794, he was the son of William Gerard, a reputable merchant.
James was born in New York City in 1794, he was the son of William Gerard, a reputable merchant.
He was educated by private tutors and entered Columbia College in 1811.
In 1816 Gerard was admitted to the bar. Gerard's first case was that of a 14-year-old boy indicted for the theft of a canary. The case impressed him so strongly that he determined to assist in the reformation of juvenile delinquents.
He joined the Society for Prevention of Pauperism, and was the instigator of the appointment of a special committee to investigate juvenile delinquency. He secured the incorporation, on March 29, 1824, of the Society for the Reformation of Juvenile Delinquents, whose House of Refuge was the first institution of its kind in the country. He also sponsored reforms in the police system, and was the first to advocate the wearing of uniforms by policemen.
In 1854, having always been a strong opponent of slavery, he took a leading part in the fight against the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill.
In his later years, Gerard devoted most of his time to the cause of popular education. He was a school trustee and later an inspector, declining the position of Commissioner of the Board of Education, declaring that he could do far more effective work as inspector than in any other capacity. He retired from legal practice in 1869 to devote all of his time to the improvement of educational methods. Gerard was naturally a promoter and an advocate, and was one of the leading jury lawyers of his time.