James Rice (26 September 1843 – 26 April 1882), English novelist, wrote a number of successful novels in collaboration with Walter Besant.He was born in Northampton, and was educated at Cambridge University.
He studied law, becoming a lawyer of Lincolns Inn in 1871.
In 1868 he bought the publication Once a Week.
It was loss-making, but made him acquainted with Besant.
Together they had a successful collaboration, ended by Rice's death.