James William Murphy (April 17, 1858 in Platteville, Wisconsin – July 11, 1927, Rochester, Minnesota) was an American politician from Wisconsin.
Murphy graduated from the State Normal School (now the University of Wisconsin-Platteville) in 1873 and from the University of Michigan Law School in 1880. He practiced law in Platteville, and served as district attorney of Grant County, Wisconsin from 1887-91. He was elected Mayor of Platteville for a two-year term in 1904, and was then elected to the United States House of Representatives as a Democrat in 1906, defeating Joseph W. Babcock for the seat from Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district. Murphy served one term, but was defeated for reelection in 1908 by Arthur W. Kopp. He ran unsuccessfully for Congress once more, in 1920.[1]