James Marshall Scott was born in Penzance to James Scott and his wife Amelia Harris. He was the eldest of at least 11 children. A statuarist, sculptor and painter, he married Elizabeth Helen Crocker in 1872. They lived at Alverton, Penzance and had at least 6 children. His younger brother, Bernard Adams SCOTT (b. 1856) was also a sculptor.

James Marshall Scott emigrated to Canada, where he died in 1920.

His great-great-grandson is a correspondent of 2017. He has in his possession a seascape by his ancestor.