James Gordon Carter (1795–1845), born James Carter, Jr. in Leominster, Massachusetts,[1] was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and an education reformer.

This was an important stepping stone in the path to government funded schooling.

To the disappointment of many of Carter's supporters, who felt he deserved the honor, Horace Mann was appointed the board's first secretary.

[3] Carter was also instrumental in the reformation of teacher education, and establishment of the first Normal school which later became Framingham State College.

[6] The James G. Carter Junior High School in Leominster, Massachusetts (now defunct) was named after him.