James Deacon Hume (1774 – 1842) was an English official, an economic writer and advocate of free trade.
The son of James Hume, a commissioner and afterwards secretary of the customs, he was born at Newington, Surrey, on 28 April 1774, and educated at Westminster School.
A report which Hume wrote for the commissioners attracted the notice of William Huskisson, and he was appointed as controller of the customs.
He assisted Thomas Tooke in establishing the Political Economy Club, and from its founding in 1821 until 1841 attended its meetings regularly, and spoke repeatedly on free trade.
The trial and execution of Fauntleroy followed Hume retired from the Board of Trade in 1840, and went to live at Reigate.
Hume married, on 4 June 1798, Frances Elizabeth, widow of Charles Ashwell of Grenada, and daughter of Edward Whitehouse of the custom house and a gentleman usher at the Court of St. James's.