James Kent, born 31 July 1763 Doansburg, Putnam County, NY. He was of Dutchess County, NY. A lawyer, member of the New York state assembly from Dutchess County, 1790-1791; candidate for U. S. Representative from New York, 1793; Justice of the New York Supreme Court, 1798. Author of "Commentaries on American Law", the first comprehensive treatment of the subject. Elected to the Hall of Fame for Great Americans in 1900. He died in New York County, New York on 12 Dec 1847. His interment somewhere in Fishkill, NY.

Kent County, Michigan is named for him.