| James McLachlan | |
| Senator for South Australia | |
| Term Start: | 1 July 1935 |
| Term End: | 30 June 1947 |
| Office2: | Member for Wooroora |
| Term Start2: | 6 April 1918 |
| Term End2: | 31 January 1930 |
| Birth Date: | 1871 3, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Alma, South Australia |
| Death Place: | Kensington |
| Spouse: | Ellen Louisa Jury |
| Party: | UAP (1935 - 45) Liberal (1945 - 47) |
| Parents: | James and Catherine McLachlan |
| Children: | Four |
| Occupation: | Farmer, storekeeper, stock agent |
James McLachlan (9 March 1871 - 1 December 1956) was an Australian politician. Born in Alma in the Mid North of South Australia, he was educated at Winham College before becoming a farmer at Dalkey near where he grew up. His parents James and Catherine, had both immigrated from Scotland.[1]
McLachlan married Ellen Louisa Jury in 1894 and abandoned farming in 1902 following a severe drought. After working as a storekeeper and agent, he was elected to the South Australian House of Assembly as the Liberal member for Wooroora in 1918, serving until 1930.[2] His father had held the same seat from 1893 to 1902. He resigned on 31 January 1930 to take up an appointment on the Pastoral Board of South Australia.[1]
In the 1934 election, McLachlan was elected to the Australian Senate as a United Australia Party Senator for South Australia, taking the seat from 1 July 1935. He served as Chairman of Committees from 1938 to 1941.[3] McLachlan held his seat until his retirement in 1946 (by which time he was a member of the Liberal Party). He died in 1956.[4]