James Margolis

Margolis was born in New York, New York, and is Jewish.[2][3] His brother Don also fenced for Columbia University, coming in third in the NCAA nationals in épée in 1963.[4] He later lived in Teaneck, New Jersey.[5]

Margolis was the 1957 NCAA épée champion, as well as the 1957 IFA champion, fencing as a junior for Columbia University, from which he graduated in 1958.[2][6][7][4] He was All-Ivy League in 1957 and 1958, All-American in 1957, and Eastern Champion in épée in 1957.[4] He then joined the US Navy, and became a Lieutenant.[8]

In 1960, Margolis placed third in epee at the Amateur Fencers League of America (AFLA) national tournament.[1]

Margolis also competed on behalf of the United States in the individual and team épée events at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome.[9] He was the Ivy League's first Olympian in fencing.[10]

He competed in the 1960 Pan American Games.[7] Margolis won a gold medal in team épée at the 1963 Pan American Games.[11]

Margolis was inducted into the Columbia University Athletics Hall of Fame.[7]

After his fencing career concluded, Margolis worked in the life insurance business for 40 years, and served as manager at the Brookline Emergency Food Pantry, a food shelter for individuals, families, and seniors in need.[7]