James Stephens (February 9, 1882–December 26, 1950) was an Irish novelist and poet.

James Stephens wrote many retellings of Irish fairy tales. His retellings are always beautiful and charming (particularly Dierdre, and Irish Fairy Tales is good). He also wrote several books (The Crock of Gold, Etched in Moonlight, Demi-Gods) which are fiction but based in some way on Irish fairy tales. He also wrote history, poetry, and other novels (Insurrection in Dublin, Mary, Mary).

James Stephens (born May 18, 1951) is also the name of an American television and film actor best known for his role as law student "Hart" in The Paper Chase

James Stephens was also an Irish nationalist who founded the Irish Republican Brotherhood around 1850.