James is the fictional romantic interest in Taylor Swift’s song “August.” The song’s narrator describes a brief summer romance with James, who is already connected to Betty in Folklore’s wider story.
“August” is one part of a fictional love triangle told across three Folklore tracks. “Cardigan” presents Betty’s perspective, “Betty” presents James’s perspective, and “August” follows the unnamed girl involved in the summer relationship.
Listeners sometimes call the narrator Augustine or Augusta, but those names are not the character’s canonical name in the song’s lyrics. Swift said she imagined those names privately, while the song itself leaves the narrator unnamed. James, by contrast, is explicitly identified through the connected songs and storyline.