James Matthews may refer to:
- Jim Matthews (politician), American politician from Pennsylvania
- James Ewen Matthews (1869–1950), Canadian Member of Parliament for Brandon
- James Herbert Matthews (1883–1972), Co-operative Commonwealth Federation member of the Canadian House of Commons
- James Tilly Matthews, (1770–1815), London tea broker committed to Bethlem psychiatric hospital
- Jimmy Matthews (1884–1943), Australian cricketer
- James Matthews (footballer) (1876–1963), Australian rules footballer who played for North Adelaide and cricket for South Australia
- James Matthews (writer) (born 1929), South African writer
- Jim Matthews (rugby league), Australian rugby league footballer
- James Matthews (racing driver) (born 1975), British formula racing driver
- James Mathews (Australian politician) (1865–1934)
- James Matthews (architect) (1819–1898), architect and Lord Provost of Aberdeen
- James Campbell Matthews (1844–1930), Albany, New York attorney and judge
- James Duncan Matthews (1850–1890), Scottish zoologist
- James Robert Matthews (1889–1978), Scottish botanist
- James S. Matthews, Louisiana state legislator
- Jim Matthews (writer) (1895–1982), New Zealand newspaper editor, gardening writer and horticulturist
- James Brander Matthews (1852–1929), American writer