James Townley (1774–1833) was a Wesleyan minister and author of numerous books.

While in Manchester he was a member of a philological society founded by Adam Clarke.

He was twice married, to Mary Marsden and Dinah Bull, both of London, and had seven children by his first wife.

Townley, a good preacher and an accomplished linguist, wrote many books.

Among his contributions to the Methodist Magazine, besides those included in his volume of Essays, were On the Character of Popery, 1826; Claims of the Church of Rome Examined, 1827; and Ancient and Foreign Missions, a series four articles, published in 1834.