James Paul Clarke was born in Yazoo City, Mississippi. Clarke attended public schools as well as Tutwilder's Academy in Greenbrier, Alabama. He graduated with a law degree at the University of Virginia in 1878. He was admitted to the bar in 1879 and practiced law at Helena, Arkansas.
Served as a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from 1886 to 1888. Became a member of the Arkansas Senate from 1888 to 1892. Served as president of the Senate in 1891.
Clarke was elected Attorney General of Arkansas and served from 1892-1894. Served as Governor of Arkansas from 1895 to 1896. His term was largely unsuccessful and his legislation to end prizefighting and establish four year terms for state officers both failed. In 1897 after leaving office he moved his permanent residence to Little Rock, Arkansas and practiced law.
Clarke was elected to the United States Senate in 1903 and served until his death in 1916. He served as President pro tempore of the United States Senate during the Sixty-third and Sixty-fourth Congresses.
Clarke died in Little Rock, Arkansas. He is buried at Oakland Cemetery in Little Rock. Clarke's statue is one of two statues presented by the State of Arkansas for display in the National Statuary Hall at the United States Capitol.
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"A politician thinks of the next election; a statesman of the next generation."