James Sharp (mayor)

James Sharp (18 November 1843 – 7 May 1904) was the sixth mayor of Salt Lake City, serving from 1885 to 1886. For several years, Sharp was also a member of the University of Utah board of regents. He was that university's chancellor from 1882 to 1883.

Sharp was born in Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland on 18 November 1843. He was the son of John Sharp, a LDS Church leader who was also the director at Union Pacific Railroad. Sharp came to America in 1848 in St. Louis and journeyed to Salt Lake City in August 1850. In 1862, he served under the command of Lot Smith during the Utah War. Sharp succeeded as director of Union Pacific Railroad after his father. In 1876, he was elected in the state legislature and later became the speaker in 1884. Sharp was elected as mayor in 1885 and served until 1886.