Sir James Cosmo Melvill KCB FRS (8 June 1792 – 23 July 1861) was a British administrator who served as the last secretary of the East India Company.

[1][2] Born at Guernsey, he was the third but eldest surviving son of Philip Melvill (1762–1811), later lieutenant-governor of Pendennis Castle in Cornwall, by his wife, Elizabeth Carey (died 1844), youngest daughter of Peter Dobrée of Beauregarde, Guernsey.

[3] Melvill rose rapidly to the top permanent position at East India House.

[4] After his retirement from the service of the company, Melvill was appointed government director of Indian railways.

[3] In March 1815, Melvill married Hester Jane Frances (died 10 April 1864), youngest daughter of William Marmaduke Sellon of Harlesden in Middlesex.