Painter, printmaker, and publisher James A. Merigot was born in France in 1760, son of publisher Jaques-Francois I Merigot. He is best known for his engraved reproductions of John Warwick Smith's watercolors to illustrate Views of the Lakes of Cumberland, as well as A Select Collection of Views and Ruins in Roma and Its Vicinity, which he executed from his own sketches drawn en plein air. Of note with regards to the latter portfolio, Merigot popularized Italy's historic ruins as interest in Neo-Classical arts was on the rise in Britain. He also wrote and published a manual for amateur artists.

Merigot died in London in 1824. His work is held at the British Museum.