James Gale Tyler was born in Oswego, New York in 1855. Tyler began painting in 1870, using the Oswego Harbor and canal as some of his subject matter. Tyler later went to New York City where he studied with A. Cary Smith for a few months. However, Tyler is considered a self-taught artist. He is known as a marine artist.

There are two of his paintings at the Richardson Bates House Museum in the city of Oswego; one of the Oswego Harbor, and the other of a storm at sea. One of his larger paintings depicting the “Mayflower” is on display at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C.