Early Life
Speed was born in Jefferson County, Kentucky, to Judge John Speed and his second wife Lucy Gilmer Fry. He was the brother of Joshua Fry Speed, as well as a distant descendant of the English cartographer John Speed. He graduated from St. Joseph's College in Bardstown, Kentucky, studied law at Transylvania University and was admitted to the bar at Louisville, in 1833.
In 1841 Lincoln met James in Kentucky when Lincoln visited James' brother, Joshua. Lincoln was almost daily to discuss legal matters of the day with James. James Speed lent Lincoln books from his law library.
He joined the Whig Party and became a strong opponent of slavery.
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