James Bell (November 13, 1804 – May 26, 1857) was an American politician and a United States Senator from New Hampshire from 1855 until his death in 1857.

Born in Francestown, New Hampshire, Bell graduated from Bowdoin College in 1822, studied law at Litchfield Law School, and was admitted to the bar in 1825 and began practice in Gilmanton, New Hampshire.

He was a delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1850, and ran unsuccessfully for Governor of New Hampshire in 1854 and 1855.

Elected as a Republican in July 1855, replacing John S. Wells, who had been appointed following the death of Moses Norris, Jr. Bell served in the United States Senate during the Thirty-fourth United States Congress from July 30, 1855 until his death in 1857.

[2] Bell died in Laconia, New Hampshire on May 26, 1857 (age 52 years, 194 days).