James Clark Walkley (March 3, 1817 – October 4, 1890) was an American politician. Walkley, son of Deacon James and Lydia (Spencer) Walkley, was born in Haddam, Connecticut, on March 3, 1817. After graduating from Yale College in 1836, he taught in an academy on Long Island for two years, and then studied law for one year in Hartford with Governor Ellsworth, and for one year in the Harvard Law School. He settled in Hartford, and for four years was clerk of the County Court, and of the Superior Court; also for six years clerk of the Recorders Court. He was City Attorney for two years and City Auditor for ten years. In March 1852, he became President of the Charter Oak Life Insurance Company and held that office until 1876. His residence was in part in Hartford and in part in his native town,