James Joseph Parkinson (15 November 1869 – 16 September 1948) was an Irish politician. He was a member of Seanad Éireann from 1922 to 1936 and from 1938 to 1947. A veterinary surgeon, racehorse trainer, bloodstock breeder and company director, he was first elected to the Free State Seanad as a Cumann na nGaedheal member in 1922. From 1938 onwards, he was elected by the Cultural and Educational Panel as a Fine Gael member. He resigned from the Seanad on 31 July 1947 due to poor health.