James Sutherland (March 20, 1820 – October 30, 1905) was an American educator, historian, and Republican politician. He was the 17th mayor of Janesville, Wisconsin, (1872–1874) and was an important leader in the development of the city's school system. Earlier, he represented Rock County in the Wisconsin State Senate (1855–1859), where he led the effort to create the Wisconsin normal schools.