Edwin John James (c.1812 – 4 March 1882)[2] was an English lawyer who also practised in the United States, a Member of Parliament and would-be actor.

[10] The Spectator described him as: ... a leader in all actions for seduction, breach of promise of marriage, assault, and false imprisonment, and in all cases that involved the reputation of an actress or a horse.

James’s reputation suffered by his alleged bribery of voters in his campaign on behalf of John Jervis in the Horsham constituency in 1847.

[6] Early in 1861, James was reputedly on the point of being appointed Attorney General[14] but on 9 April 1861, he suddenly resigned all his public offices, stating that he needed to devote his time to his professional career.

It was established that he had:[4] Yarborough apparently persuaded James to resign his public offices in order to protect Worsley.

[16] When James' earlier conduct did become known in America, an attempt was made to disbar him there; it failed when he denied the charges on oath and the judges were equally divided as to his culpability.

[5] On 9 July 1861 James married Marianne née Hilliard, "a widow lady of fortune", at the Embassy in Paris.

[18] Mr. James is described by his old partner, Mr. Charles Blandy, as a gentleman of the most genial disposition and with an unlimited stock of anecdotes and store of experience.

He was a man of powerful frame, 6 feet high, with large features, and generally wore an inverness cape, a rough tweed suit, and hobnailed boots, his appearance being that of the typical English country gentleman.