James Boyle (c. 1854June 12, 1939) was an American diplomat, private secretary to Ohio governor and U.S. president William McKinley, and an author. He served as a U.S. consul in Liverpool, England. He began his career as a stenographer, reporter, and editor at newspapers.
He said McKinley blamed Theodore Roosevelt for forcing McKinley into war with Spain.
He wrote about Liverpool's activity as a port and issues such as dredging. He also documented a cotton cargo fire and complaints about how bales of cotton were covered shipments from the U.S. He also wrote a report on the timber trade to Liverpool.
He had five sons and a daughter.