James McGhee (1861–1921) was a prominent Glaswegian Irish nationalist, and Provincial Secretary of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (A.O.H.)

"[1] A 1903 edition of the Glasgow Observer reported that McGhee "served his apprenticeship with the old Home Rule Association, which existed in Shettleston, in the days of his youth.

"[1] As a young man, James McGhee initially found work in local coal pits, and later pursued a career as a spirit salesman.

[2][3] It was, however, through his involvement in the Irish Catholic fraternities of Glasgow that McGhee achieved his status as a public figure.

After the lifting of the ban, James McGhee "urged the officers and members to admit nothing but practical Catholics to their ranks" in effort to maintain favour with the local clergy.

[11] By 1918, its scope had broadened to include: The 1915 Irish Flag Day raised £5,560 for its cause;[13] by contrast, the 1918 Flag Day, although reported a "thorough success" by the Glasgow Observer, was met with sectarian opposition: In his capacity as Provincial Secretary for the A.O.H., McGhee was responsible for the expansion of the organisation's Scottish support-base, which was "not very large" at the time of his joining in 1904.

"[15] James McGhee was "daily and nightly attending and speaking at meetings of the A.O.H., opening branches" or otherwise working until August 1921, when he suffered a "severe attack of illness.

"[16] While it was widely believed that he was on track to recovery,[17] McGhee died on the morning of 13 September 1921, the result of cerebral haemorrhage and cardiac failure.