James Porter (2 October 1827, Belfast – 2 October 1900, Cambridge) was a British academic in the second half of the 19th century. Porter was born on 2 October 1827 in Belfast, the son of Rev. James Porter, Presbyterian minister, Rector of Drumlee, Castlewellan, County Down. Porter's siblings were: Porter graduated M.A. from the University of Glasgow in 1847, and continued to Peterhouse, Cambridge (admitted 8 July 1847, graduated B.A. as 9th wrangler 1851, M.A. 1854, D.D. 1881). Porter taught mathematics at Liverpool College 1851–55, and was ordained deacon in 1853 and priest in 1856.