Cornelius James Pelly, CMG, OBE (8 April 1908 – 1985), was an Irish-born colonial official and diplomat.
During this time he served twice as Political Officer in Sharjah (April 1941-April 1942 and then June-July 1947) and also in Bahrain (1947–1952) and Kuwait (1952–1955).
From 1955 to 1956 he was in the service of Abdullah III Al-Salim Al-Sabah.
Pelly was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1944.
He married Una Patricia O'Shea of Lismore, County Waterford on 5 October 1949 they had 2 children, Laura (born 1952) and Peter (born 1957).