James Hurd, born in New York City, attended Yale (BA) and John Hopkins (MA). He was at sea for three years on destroyers in World War II before joining the Foreign Service. After posts in London, Washington and Singapore, he decided it was time for a change.

This resulted in a year's sabbatical in South India (1955 - 56), which became the basis of this book. 'Preludes and Other Poems' was published in London by Christopher Johnson in the same decade.

On return to the State Department, the author specialized in public and cultural affairs, speech writing and dealing with international expositions. For the latter he received a superior honor award.

The author spent several years' part-time work with the homeless in D.C., where he and his wife live.