James Owen (December 7, 1784, Bladen County – September 4, 1865, Wilmington) was an American politician from North Carolina, a planter, major-general, businessman, and slave owner, including of Omar ibn Said. He was educated in private schools in Pittsburg. Subsequently, he was for many years president of the Wilmington and Raleigh Railroad and a major-general of the militia. His brother John Owen was governor of North Carolina. Owen was a member of the North Carolina state legislature in 1808-1811 and a Democratic U.S. Representative from North Carolina's 5th congressional district from 1817 to 1819. He died in 1865 and was interred at Oakdale Cemetery, Wilmington.