Background
James Rector was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
James Rector was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
He was the first Arkansas athlete to compete in the Olympic Games. He was the grandson of Arkansas Civil War governor Henry Massey Rector and Mississippi Reconstruction governor James Alcorn. He lost to Reggie Walker in the final, running the race in 10.9 seconds as Walker hit the 10.8 mark for his second time.
Rector was a prominent Saint Louis, Missouri lawyer for more than thirty years before retiring in Hot Springs.