James Banks Taylor (31 January 1834[1] – 31 January 1884) was a Scottish businessman and member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong.
Taylor was born in Tranent, a small town near Edinburgh. He entered the firm of Smith, Archer & Co. in Hong Kong in 1861 and was admitted a partner of the firm in 1864.[2] He was appointed Justice of the Peace in 1867[3] and member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong in 1868 vice Phineas Ryrie's absence on leave.[4] He retired from the Smith, Archer & Co. in December 1871.[5] He died on 31 January 1884 in New York.[6]