James Backhouse Walker (14 October 1841 – 4 November 1899) was an Australian solicitor and historian. Walker was the eldest son of George Washington Walker, was born at Hobart. He was educated at the High School, Hobart, and the Quaker Bootham School, York. The Law School of the University of Tasmania commemorates him with the J. B. Walker Memorial Prize.The Quakers in Tasmania commemorate his contribution to learning and social justice with an annual Backhouse Lecture .