Sir James Hayes studied at Corpus Christi College, Oxford University and was admitted to Lincoln's Inn in 1649 before being called to the bar in 1656. He served as a member of Parliament for Marlborough in 1659 and recorder of Marlborough that same year. He became secretary to Prince Rupert (1619-1682) in 1665 and was instrumental in the creation of the Hudson's Bay Company and gaining control over Canadian territory. Hayes became an original member of the Royal Society in 1663 and was knighted in 1670.

[Information retrieved from the Royal Society, "Past Fellows Catalog," Hayes; Sir; James (-1693).]