James Alfred Taylor, better known as J. Alfred Taylor, (September 25, 1878 – June 9, 1956) was an American politician, a member of the Democratic Party from West Virginia. 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 was engaged in the newspaper business. In 1905 he moved from Greenbrier County to Fayette County. Taylor served as a noncommissioned officer in the West Virginia National Guard from 1908 to 1911.