James William Elwell (August 27, 1820 – September 2, 1899) was a 19th-century American businessman and philanthropist. He was well known as one of the oldest shipping merchants in New York having lived in Brooklyn for over forty years. Elwell was the owner of James W. Elwell & Co., a shipping firm at 57 South Street, Manhattan. He was one of the oldest members of the New York Chamber of Commerce. He was known as a philanthropist who helped to found some of Brooklyn's best institutions. Elwell and his wife built the James W. and Lucy S. Elwell House in the national historic district in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. The pilot boat James W. Elwell was named in his honor.