James Wilson (March 15, 1763 – March 26, 1855) was the first maker of globes in the United States. Born in Londonderry, New Hampshire, Wilson farmed with his father and trained as a blacksmith, though he had little other formal education. He moved to Bradford, Vermont in 1796, became interested in cartography, and taught himself map making. He invested in an encyclopedia and taught himself engraving and map making with the intention of producing maps for schoolchildren. Wilson died in Bradford on March 26, 1855, and was buried at Upper Plain Cemetery in Bradford.