Described by the writer H. W. French as a "man of unusual education, a proficient linguist, and a scientific explorer," James Hamilton Shegogue was born to a family of French descent. He began his professional career in New York City around 1833 when he first exhibited at the American Academy, his painting entitled An Old Straw Hat (not located) attracted the attention of Col. John Trumbull among others. In the following year, he made his first appearance to the annual exhibitions of the National Academy.
Relatively little is known about Shegogue's art training, although his name does appear in the National Academy's Register of Students for 1839. According to a critic writing in the Literary World (1847), by 1846, when Shegogue went to Europe for one year of study, he had already acquired "no small degree of success as a painter of portraits in fancy dresses, with an occasional fancy face."
A prolific artist with a steady flow of portrait commissions throughout his career, Sh‚gogue was a lively participant in New York art life. He was a member of the Old Sketch Club and the Century Association. In addition to serving as the Academy's Corresponding Secretary from 1849 until 1852, he was a frequent member of the Committee of Arrangements.
Tiring of city life, Shegogue moved to Warrenville, Connecticut in 1862, where he continued to paint until just a few weeks before his death. In the eulogy address read at the Council Meeting of April 29, 1872, Sh‚gogue was praised for his " (ABG: can't read) interest in the prosperity of our institution and for official service during a considerable term of years, in which he zealously discharged the duties of corresponding Secretary.