James Grafton Rogers was a prominent attorney. He authored "American Bar Leaders, Biographies of the Presidents of the American Bar," and other works on legal history. As well, he was an international financier (pres. and Dir. of Foreign Bondholders Assn.), diplomat Allied Electoral Mission to Greece), and expert in military intelligence (Chairman of the Planning Group of the OSS; Office of Stratigraphic Services, the predecessor of the CIA).

He also was a professor, historian and wartime facilitator (helped found the 10th Mountain Division which drove up the Apennines in WW2).

And a poet.

No one has found out what he meant by "hilary." It is the was he wrote it in MS. and original sheet music (haven't seen) according to several articles.