One of the numerous prolific American art song composers of his time, American tenor, composer, voice teacher and organist James Carroll studied singing in Boston with excellent teachers from the age of ten and later in London with William Shakespeare. This launched a very successful career as tenor when he returned to the United States, serving as soloist in the Arlington Street Church in Boston for 25 years, the Harvard Church in Brookline, and the Plymouth Church in Worcester. He also sang in quartets (Lotus Male Quartet, Albion Quartette), in operas and operettas (touring the country with the Booth-Barrett Company and playing the leading role in H.M.S. Pinafore), and with touring concert companies. He was regarded as one of the leading teachers in Boston for 30 years (1896–1926), Worcester and Medfield, Massachusetts , where he married and lived for 33 years as a composer, singer, conductor, gentleman farmer, and highly respected citizen. He also wrote sacred solo and choral music, part songs, and cantatas.