James Sharples may refer to:

• James Sharples (portrait painter) (1751/52–1811), English portrait painter and pastelist
• James Sharples (blacksmith) (1825–1893), English blacksmith and self-taught artist and engraver
• James Sharples (cricketer) (1890–1969), English cricketer who played for Glamorgan
• Sir James Sharples (police officer), chief constable (1989–1998) of Merseyside Police
• James Sharples (bishop) (1797–1850), Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic of the Lancashire District