Henry James was born on April 15, 1843, in New York City. His father, Henry James Sr., was a prominent theologian, and his brother, William James, was a renowned philosopher and psychologist. From this scholarly environment, James developed a keen interest in literature from an early age. James's formative years were spent traveling between Europe and America, a divide that is explored in novels such as The Golden Bowl. Early in his career, James experimented with various literary forms, including novels, short stories, and essays. His writing style evolved, shifting toward psychological realism and nuanced character portrayal. James's observations of human behavior and exploration of the inner workings of consciousness laid the groundwork for his contributions to modernist literature.

While he predates the formal emergence of the modernist movement, James’s works exhibit many characteristics associated with modernism, such as psychological complexity, narrative experimentation, and a focus on subjective experience. One of James's most significant contributions to modernist literature is his exploration of consciousness and interiority. In novels like The Portrait of a Lady and The Golden Bowl, James delves into the inner lives of his characters, portraying their thoughts, feelings, and motivations with depth and insight.