James Styles (3 July 1841 – 4 February 1913) was an English-born Australian politician.Born in Croydon, Surrey, Styles migrated to Australia in 1849 with his family, where he was educated at private schools in Melbourne. He became a civil engineer and railway contractor, and sat on Williamstown Council. Styles applied unsuccessfully for the position of chairman of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works in 1891.