James Macfarlane (2 September 1844 – 24 November 1914) was an Australian businessman and politician.

He was born in Scotland and arrived in Australia in 1870, establishing a shipping agency in Hobart.

He was the son of Lillias (née Alexander) and Andrew Macfarlane; his father was a surveyor.

He subsequently joined Redfern, Alexander and Company, a London merchant shipping firm, where he worked for eight years alongside his brother John.

This article about an Australian Free Trade Party politician is a stub.