James Baxter (8 June 1870 – 5 July 1940) was an English rugby union player and manager. Baxter was also a crew member of the British boat Mouchette, which won a silver medal at the 1908 Summer Olympics for sailing in the 12-metre class. In 1927, he was president of the Rugby Football Union. He managed the British and Irish Lions tour to Argentina in 1927 and the 1930 tour to New Zealand and Australia.