James A. Burke (March 3, 1890 – September 12, 1965) was a Democratic politician from Queens, New York City and served as its borough president for eight years. Burke was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1890 but was orphaned when he was 8 years old. After high school he took night classes at New York University while he worked. In 1914 he moved to Queens, where he became active in many civic organizations. During the first World War he worked as a civilian at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, eventually becoming superintendent of stock in charge of $60 million worth of supplies.