James Bernard ("J. B.") West was born in Afton, Iowa, on July 27, 1912. West began work in the White House as assistant to the chief usher in 1941. Prior to that, he had worked in the Veterans Administration. He was promoted to chief usher when Crim retired in 1957. With a staff of over 100, West managed many state dinners and other White House events, including those surrounding the funeral of John F. Kennedy and the wedding of Lynda Bird John. During the Nixon administration an investigation found that West allowed friends into the White House for after hours tours. This resulted in some thefts of White House mementos and chinaware. For that reason, West was considered a blackmail/security risk and dismissed in 1969.

His book, Upstairs at the White House, was first published in 1973. It was listed on the New York Times bestseller list in 2015.

West died on July 18, 1983, at the age of 70.

(Bowker Author Biography)