Commodore James Barron (September 15, 1768 – April 21, 1851) was a United States Navy officer. He served in the Quasi-War and the Barbary Wars, during which he commanded a number of famous ships, including USS Essex and USS President. As commander of the frigate USS Chesapeake, in 1807 he was involved in the Chesapeake–Leopard affair, which led to the surrender of his ship to the British and resulted in his court-martial for his actions during the incident. After criticism from some fellow officers, the resulting controversy led Barron to a pistol duel with one of the officers who had presided over his court-martial, Stephen Decatur, resulting in Decatur's death. Suspended from command for failure to prepare the Chesapeake for battle, he pursued commercial interests in Europe during the War of 1812. Barron finished his naval career on shore duty, becoming the Navy's senior officer in 1839.

Barron was born in Hampton, Virginia in 1768, the son of a merchant captain named James Barron who became Commodore of the tiny Virginia State Navy during the American Revolution, and fought with distinction defending not only Hampton but also Charleston, South Carolina. His grandfather Samuel Barron commanded the fort at Old Point Comfort, built to defend the town but which was destroyed during a hurricane in 1749. Capt. Barron saved the entire garrison and their families, before establishing a residence for his family across Mill Creek. This boy's father and his brother (this boy's uncle) Richard Barron owned considerable property in Hampton and established a shipyard which built ships for the Virginia Navy. His elder brother Samuel Barron served in the Virginia navy during the American Revolutionary War, then joined the U.S. Navy.

As a boy, Barron apprenticed on his father's ships for several years, and on March 9, 1798, he was commissioned in the newly created United States Navy as a lieutenant. He served aboard the frigate United States under John Barry. For his exceptional ability and service Barron was promoted to captain in 1799.. He commanded the sloop-of-war Warren during the final months of the Quasi-War with France.

In a letter dated 13 August 1802 Barron was ordered to take command of USS New York at the Washington Navy Yard.

Early in 1804 Barron supervised the building of gunboats at Hampton, Virginia. During the First Barbary War, Barron was given command of USS Essex on April 11, 1804, and sailed to the Mediterranean to serve in the squadron commanded by his brother, Commodore Samuel Barron, protecting American merchantmen and blockading the Tripolian harbor until May 22, 1805. Health problems caused him to relinquish command of the squadron to Commodore John Rodgers.

On June 25, 1805, Barron, along with Stephen Decatur and others, presided over the court of inquiry, held aboard USS Constitution at Syracuse, which looked into William Bainbridge's grounding and loss of USS Philadelphia near Tripoli's harbor.

On April 15, 1806, Barron was appointed to command the Mediterranean Squadron. Promoted to the rank of commodore on April 22, he was assigned command of the frigate USS Chesapeake the following year. Chesapeake was berthed at Norfolk and was being outfitted for her upcoming mission in great haste, with a green crew and equipment that was below standards.

Commodore Barron and the Chesapeake on June 22, 1807, became involved in the Chesapeake–Leopard affair. The Royal Navy ship of the line HMS Leopard hailed his frigate outside of Hampton Roads and asked to search for British deserters. Barron refused, and Leopard then opened fire on Chesapeake, killing three crewmen and wounding eighteen. Caught completely unprepared for battle, Barron struck his colours, acknowledging defeat. A boarding party from Leopard boarded his ship and removed four deserters.