James Rector

James Rector ( born June 22, 1884 in Hot Springs, Arkansas, † March 10, 1949 ) was an American lawyer, athlete and Olympic medalist.

Rector was born in Arkansas, studied law and was the grandson of acting during the Civil War Governor Henry Massey Rector and the Governor of Mississippi, James Alcorn. He was the first athlete from Arkansas, who won an Olympic medal.

At the Olympic Games in London in 1908 he won the silver medal in the 100 -meter run behind the South Africans Reggie Walker and before the Canadian Robert Kerr.

After the Olympics he finished his sports career and settled as a lawyer in St. Louis, where he brought it to prestige and success, before he returned to his native town after more than 30 years.