James Cochran Dobbin (January 17, 1814 – August 4, 1857) was a nineteenth-century politician and lawyer who served as United States Secretary of the Navy from 1853 to 1857.

In 1852, he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention where he helped secure the nomination of dark horse candidate Franklin Pierce for the presidency.

Pierce appointed Dobbin United States Secretary of the Navy as a reward for his work in the presidential campaign.

Under his auspices, the Perry expedition to Japan was carried to a successful termination and the treaty with that country signed.

This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Naval History and Heritage Command.