James Burchell Richardson (October 28, 1770 – April 28, 1836) was the Governor of South Carolina from 1802 to 1804.

Born in Clarendon County to Brigadier General Richard Richardson (general), a famed Revolutionary War leader,[1] and Dorcas Richardson, an American heroine,[2] he received his education at the local schools in Clarendon County.

In 1792, Richardson was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives and served for ten years.

The General Assembly chose him to be Governor of South Carolina in 1802 for a two-year term.

He spent the rest of his life on his plantation where he died on April 28, 1836, and was interred at the Richardson Cemetery.