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Name: Ransom, James (Jim)
Age: 26
Date of Birth: June 23, 1898
Place of Birth: Albuquerque, NM USA

Skills:
Archeology (Egyptology, South American studies)
Anthropology (American Indian, African and South American cultures)
Foreign languages (Latin and Arabic)
Firearms
Horseback riding
Automobile Handling

 

 
Arrest record: 
Juvenile file includes several accounts of breaking and entering and trespass, none of which are on his adult record.

Background:
Born and raised in Albuquerque, NM. Mother died while he was young, and he blamed his father for her death resulting in an adversarial relationship with father. While avoiding father he began to explore the history of the Southwest, and became familiar with several of the local native tribes.

Ran off to Europe to help fight the Great War and lied about his age to enter the Belgian army. Little information available about his service, although he was discharged honorably with the rank of Captain. Returned to America soon after. 

Because he hadn't completed his elementary education he could only get into the University of New Mexico (where his father is a professor-see file on Ransom, Charles). Excelled at Ancient Studies (languages, archeology, history). As a Rhodes Scholar he spent 2 years in England, and developed contacts at the British Museum. After obtaining undergraduate degree he attended Columbia University where he obtained a Ph.D. in Archeology, and is currently employed as Assistant Professor. 

While a grad student at Columbia he developed a father/son relationship with his mentor, Alexander Hawkwood, and fell in love with daughter Jerilyn. Relationship with daughter went badly, which ruined relationship with the Professor, who has since taken his daughter on foreign sabbatical. 

During summers/research semesters he has been involved in a number of high level digs in Egypt and South America, and is considered an authority on field archeology in those regions. Has developed contacts with numerous foreign nationals. Currently finishing the definitive work on the importance of yams to the ancient and modern cultures of Tiera Del Fuego.

Conclusion: 
Although highly competent, he would not make a good operative due to his low level anti-authoritarian personality and high risk of foreign contamination.