James William Richards (May 31, 1850 – March 9, 1915) was a merchant, ship owner and political figure in Prince Edward Island. He represented 2nd Prince in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island from 1873 to 1908 as a Conservative and then Liberal member and Prince County in the Canadian House of Commons from 1908 to 1915 as a Liberal member.
He was born in Swansea, Wales, the son of William Richards, and educated at Prince of Wales College and St. Dunstan's College in Charlottetown. Richards was first elected to the provincial assembly in an 1873 by-election after James Yeo resigned his seat. He served as a member of the provincial Executive Council from 1891 to 1904. Richards was an unsuccessful candidate for a seat in the House of Commons in 1904 but then was elected in 1908 and reelected in 1911. He died in office in 1915.