James Matthews (12 December 1819 – 28 June 1898) was a prominent 19th-century architect in northern Scotland who also served as Lord Provost of Aberdeen from 1883 to 1886 during which time he enacted an important city improvement plan.

In 1839 he took the radical step of moving to London to work under George Gilbert Scott where he honed his design and business skills.

His commissions ranged from banks and churches to the remodelling of several country houses and castles (most notably Cawdor) but following the Scottish Education Act of 1872 he was involved in the wave of necessary school building.

During his term of office he oversaw several city improvement schemes including the Mitchell Tower and new University Graduation Hall.

He came to fame by winning the competition of the Free Church of Scotland Offices in Edinburgh but the scheme was ultimately built by William Henry Playfair.