James Clark (January 16, 1779 – August 27, 1839) was a 19th-century American politician who served in all three branches of Kentucky's government and in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In 1810, he was appointed to the Kentucky Court of Appeals, where he served for two years before resigning to pursue a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In 1822, he struck down a debt relief law in the case of Williams v. Blair on the basis that it impeded the obligation of contracts.

In 1825, Clark was chosen to fill the congressional seat vacated by Henry Clay's elevation to Secretary of State.

[1] On March 29, 1810, he was appointed to the Kentucky Court of Appeals, and served in this capacity until his resignation in 1812.

[1] He took a leave of absence on April 18, 1816, and by August 1816, had resigned his seat to accept an appointment as a circuit court judge.

[5] In the 1822 case of Williams v. Blair, he declared unconstitutional a law allowing debtors to escape bankruptcy by imposing a moratorium on their debts.

[8] Clark's ruling drew a resolution of condemnation from the Kentucky General Assembly.

[7] Incensed, the legislature attempted to remove him from office, but the vote of 59–35 fell short of the needed two-thirds majority.

[7] In 1825, Clark was elected to fill the U.S. House seat left vacant by the elevation of Henry Clay to Secretary of State.

[5] In his first address to the legislature, he outlined an ambitious agenda of reforms, including the establishing a public school system, strengthening the office of state auditor, and combating an increase in crime.

[12] However, they refused to restrict the publication and spread of abolitionist propaganda in the state, as Clark had requested, and they ignored most of his recommendations in other areas.