James Sharp (18 November 1843 – 7 May 1904) was the sixth mayor of Salt Lake City, serving from 1884 to 1886.

For several years, Sharp was also a member of the University of Utah board of regents.

He was the son of John Sharp, a leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who was also a director of the Union Pacific Railroad.

Sharp succeeded as director of Union Pacific Railroad after his father.

In 1876, he was elected to the Utah territorial legislature and was the speaker of the House of Representatives from 1884 to 1886.