James Pleasants Jr. (October 24, 1769 – November 9, 1836)[1] was an American politician who served in the U.S. Senate from 1819 to 1822 and was the 22nd Governor of Virginia from 1822 to 1825.

He pursued classical studies and graduated from the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia.

He studied law, was admitted to the bar, and commenced practice in Amelia County, Virginia in 1791.

He was chair of the Naval Affairs Committee (Sixteenth and Seventeenth Congresses).

His son John Hampden Pleasants (1797–1846) founded the Richmond Whig newspaper, married twice, and later died in a duel with Thomas Ritchie, Jr.[3] Pleasants is the namesake of a residence hall at William and Mary.