Benjamin J. Lea (January 1, 1833 – March 15, 1894) was an American lawyer and politician, who served as a justice on the Tennessee Supreme Court from 1876 to 1878, and again from 1890 to 1894.
He then served in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War, achieving the rank of colonel.
From 1878 to 1886 he held the office of Attorney General, during which time he compiled volumes 70-84 of Tennessee Reports.
[1] In 1889 he became a member and president of the Tennessee State Senate,[3] also serving as a deputy to Governor Robert Love Taylor, and de facto vice-governor.
Lea was elected Chief Justice in April 1893,[1] serving until his death the following year, in Brownsville.