James Richard Rutland (1879-1948, son of John Blake and Eugenia (Askew) Rutland, was born in Fredonis, Alabama. He received his B.S. (1900) and M.S. (1901) from Alabama Polytechnic Institute; his B.A. (1903-1904) from Harvard, and did further study (summers 1908-1910) at the University of Chicago. He taught at API (1900-1901), was principal of Wylam School (Alabama 1900-1902), and taught at Memphis Military Institute (1902-1903). Returning to API, he taught English and Math (1904-1905), served as librarian (1905-1915) while also associate professor of English (1908-1912). In 1913, he directed the first summer school at API. His professional activities also included president of the Alabama Association of English Teachers, county high school board inspector, member of the Alabama reading circle, and vice-president of the Alabama Library Association. He edited Irving's Tales of a Traveler and the Auburn Alumnus and wrote Old Testament Stories. Community activities included membership in Knights of Pythias, Democratic Party, Methodist Church, and founder of Auburn Little Theater.

He married Hulda Augusta (Boyd) Horton on June 22, 1910 and had three children: James Richard Rutland, Jr.(1911-1973), Robert Horton Rutland (1914-1964), and Hulda Boyd Horton (19191? who married Osmo Smith).