James L. Gelvin (born February 12, 1951) is an American scholar of Middle Eastern history.
Before joining the faculty at UCLA, Gelvin taught at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Boston College, and Harvard University.
He has been a fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars (1999–2000) and the recipient of a U.C.
In 2002–2003, he was Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Visiting professor of history at the American University in Beirut.
"[4] Gelvin also received the Faculty Excellence Award, presented by the UCLA chapter of Mortar Board National Senior Honor Society in 1998.