James Forsyth (1852 – 14 October 1927) was a company director and member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.

After receiving his education in West Plean he worked for Henderson Bros, Merchants in Stirling and spent five years with Arnott and Co. in Glasgow.

In 1880 he was the manager at Normanton for James Burns & Co. and was mainly responsible for the company's expansion in the North Queensland area.

He changed allegiance to the Opposition Party in 1904, led by his close friend, Robert Philp.

Forsyth was the only MP to oppose the provision of the Elections Act 1915 that granted women the right to stand for parliament in Queensland.