John Archibald Fairlie (October 30, 1872 – January 26, 1947) was a Scottish-born political scientist who spent his professional career in the United States.

He enrolled at the Columbia University School of Political Science in 1897, earning a Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1898.

After spending a year as the secretary to the Roosevelt-Greene Committee on Canals of New York State, Fairlie became a lecturer on municipal administration at Columbia.

In 1900, he joined the faculty of the University of Michigan as an assistant professor of administrative law.

He also served on the board of editors of "The American Political Science Review.