James Campbell was born in Cairncastle, County Antrim, and was taught locally. He learnt to weave, and moved to Ballynure, County Antrim, where he worked as a journeyman, and then to Ballybracken, County Antrim. He was a United Irishman, and was arrested in 1798. His papers, which contained all his poems written up to that point, were seized by the authorities, and not returned. The work was edited by Alexander McDowell and the Posthumous Works of James Campbell of Ballynure, was published in 1820, two years after his death.

Born:	1758
Died:	1818