James Alexander Dudley Richards (March 22, 1845 - December 4, 1911) was a U.S. Representative from Ohio.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, RichardsSpent his early life in Boston and New York City, where he received a common-school education. He moved to New Philadelphia, Ohio, in 1861. He studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1867 and commenced practice in New Philadelphia.
Richards was elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-third Congress (March 4, 1893-March 3, 1895). He served as chairman of the Committee on Expenditures in the Post Office Department (Fifty-third Congress). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1894 to the Fifty-fourth Congress. He resumed the practice of law in Washington, D.C., and subsequently returned to New Philadelphia, Ohio, and continued the practice of his profession.
He died in New Philadelphia, on December 4, 1911. He was interred in the East Fair Street Cemetery.