Frank Cyril James (October 8, 1903 – May 3, 1973) was a Canadian academic and principal of McGill University from 1939 to 1962.

Born in London, England, he won a Sir Ernest Cassel Travelling Scholarship that allowed him to study at the University of Pennsylvania in 1922, where he received his Ph.D.

After becoming friends with the Chancellor, Sir Edward Beatty, he was appointed principal and vice-chancellor in January 1940 and served until 1962.

From 1941 he was on the original standing committee of the Foundation for the Study of Cycles.

In 1947, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Saskatchewan.