James Knowles (September 5, 1856 – February 11, 1912), nicknamed "Darby", was a Canadian Major League Baseball player who played mainly at the third base, but did play significant time at first base as well, for six different teams in his five-season career from 1884 to 1892.
Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Knowles died at the age of 55 in Jersey City, New Jersey, and is interred at Bayview – New York Bay Cemetery in Jersey City.