James Alexander Rose (October 13, 1850 – May 29, 1912) was an American politician and educator.
Born in Golconda, Pope County, Illinois, Rose went to Illinois Normal State University in Normal, Illinois. He taught school in Pope County, was elected county superintendent of schools in 1873, and state's attorney in 1881. A Republican, he served as Illinois Secretary of State from 1897 until his death in 1912. Rose died in Springfield, Illinois as a result of a stomach hemorrhage.