thumb|right|James Hoskins, 1880James Hoskins (1823 – 1 April 1900) was a politician in colonial New South Wales.[1]
Hoskins was born in London and emigrated to Australia in 1853. After a varied experience on the diggings, he was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for the new district of Goldfields North at the 1859 election,[2] supported by voluntary contributions from miners. He held the seat at the 1859 election,[3] until financial reasons forced his resignation in 1863, becoming the overseer of northern roads.
He was elected to his former seat at the 1868 by-election.[4] In December 1869 he was returned for Patrick's Plains,[5] and in February 1872 for Tumut.[6] Hoskins was Secretary for Public Works in the Parkes Government from March to August 1877, and Secretary for Lands in the Parkes-Robertson Ministry from December 1878 to December 1881.
He was nominated to the New South Wales Legislative Council on 27 February 1889, a position he held until his death[1] in Strathfield, Sydney, New South Wales on 1 April 1900 (aged 77).