James Meredith est né le 25 juin 1933 dans le Mississippi, États-Unis. Il est marié avec Judy Alsobrook. Lui et Judy Alsobrook ont deux enfants. Il a été marié avec Mary June Wiggins.
On October 1, 1962, escorted by United States Marshals, he became the first black student to attend the University of Mississippi. His admission was regarded as a pivotal moment in the history of the civil rights movement.