Henry James · Adolf Hitler Were Henry James and Adolf Hitler alive at the same time? Yes. Henry James and Adolf Hitler were alive at the same time for 26 years, from 1889 to 1916. Henry James was 46 when Adolf Hitler was born.Adolf Hitler was 26 when Henry James died, aged 72. Henry JamesAmerican and British writerBorn 15 April 1843 · died 28 February 1916, aged 72Adolf HitlerDictator of Germany from 1933 to 1945Born 20 April 1889 · died 30 April 1945, aged 56 Abraham LincolnKarl MarxHenry JamesMahatma GandhiVladimir LeninAlbert EinsteinAdolf HitlerRonald ReaganNelson Mandela Henry James and Adolf Hitler in bold, with some of their best-known contemporaries. Drag across to see the age each reached in any year. Faded ends mark uncertain dates.