James Edward Scobey (January 3, 1834 - July 6, 1923) was an American educator who led several schools in the United States.

Scobey was born in Lebanon, Wilson County, Tennessee on January 3, 1834.

He taught for five years at Union Academy, six miles east of Lebanon.

[3] In 1891, Scobey moved to Franklin, Tennessee and started working for Williamson County.

[3] Teacher and state legislator Edward Sweatt was his maternal grandfather.