US Congressman. He was elected at two different times to represent New York's 6th and 8th Congressional Districts in the United States House of Representatives. He was first elected as a Whig to represent the 6th District, serving from 1849 to 1853. During the Civil War he was elected as a Democrat to represent the 8th District, serving from 1863 until his seat was successfully contested by William E. Dodge in 1866. James Brooks then ran against Dodge for the seat in 1867, defeating him for the seat that he had lost the year before. He then served representing the 8th District from 1867 to 1873. Re-districting in 1872 shifted his district from the 8th to the 6th, which he subsequently represented again until his death in office in April 1873. Just before his death he was censured by Congress for his participation in the Credit Moblier bribery scandal.

US Congressman. He was elected at two different times to represent New York's 6th and 8th Congressional Districts in the United States House of Representatives. He was first elected as a Whig to represent the 6th District, serving from 1849 to 1853. During the Civil War he was elected as a Democrat to represent the 8th District, serving from 1863 until his seat was successfully contested by William E. Dodge in 1866. James Brooks then ran against Dodge for the seat in 1867, defeating him for the seat that he had lost the year before. He then served representing the 8th District from 1867 to 1873. Re-districting in 1872 shifted his district from the 8th to the 6th, which he subsequently represented again until his death in office in April 1873. Just before his death he was censured by Congress for his participation in the Credit Moblier bribery scandal.

Bio by: RPD2