High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Alexander Franklin "Frank" James (January 10, 1843 February 18, 1915) was a famous American outlaw. He was the older brother of outlaw Jesse James.James was born Alexander Franklin James in Kearney, Missouri to Baptist minister Reverend Robert Sallee James and his wife Zerelda (Cole) James, who had moved from Kentucky. He was the eldest of three children. As a child, James showed interest in his late father's sizable library, especially the works of William Shakespeare. Census records show that James attended school regularly, and he reportedly wanted to become a teacher.