James Alfred Taylor (September 25, 1878 – June 9, 1956) was an American politician, a member of the Democratic Party from West Virginia.

J. Alfred Taylor
35th Speaker of the West Virginia House of Delegates
In office
1931–1933
Preceded byJ. William Cummins
Succeeded byRalph M. Hiner
Member of the West Virginia House of Delegates from Fayette County
In office
December 1, 1936 – December 1, 1938
In office
December 1, 1930 – December 1, 1932
In office
December 1, 1920 – December 1, 1922
In office
December 1, 1916 – December 1, 1918
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from West Virginia's 6th district
In office
March 4, 1923 – March 3, 1927
Preceded byLeonard S. Echols
Succeeded byEdward T. England
Personal details
Born
James Alfred Taylor

(1878-09-25)September 25, 1878
Lawrence, Ohio
DiedJune 9, 1956(1956-06-09) (aged 77)
Montgomery, West Virginia
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseSabina Ellen

Taylor was born near Ironton, (Lawrence County, Ohio), where he attended the public schools. After graduating, he worked in a printing office in Ironton, before he moved to Alderson, West Virginia, where he also engaged in the newspaper business.

In 1905 he moved from Greenbrier County to Fayette County. Taylor served as a non-commissioned officer in the West Virginia National Guard from 1908 to 1911.

His political career began in 1916, when he was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates. Taylor served in this body until 1918 and later again twice (1920–22 and 1930–32). He eventually rose to Speaker during his last term.

in 1922 he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from West Virginia's 6th District (now defunct). He served two terms (re-elected in 1924) from March 4, 1923, to March 3, 1927. He was defeated in his bid for a third term by Republican candidate Edward T. England.

Taylor resumed the newspaper publishing business and was the unsuccessful Democratic nominee for governor in 1928. During his later career he served on the West Virginia Liquor Commission (1941–45) and was elected to the Fayette County Board of Education in 1946 for a six-year term.

He died in Montgomery, West Virginia and was interred in Huse Memorial Park in Fayetteville.

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Party political offices
Preceded by Democratic nominee for Governor of West Virginia
1928
Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from West Virginia's 6th congressional district

1923–1927
Succeeded by