Scottish Presbyterian reformer and educator.

Melville studied at the University of St. Andrews, where he heard John Knox preach, in 1571–72. He taught at the University of Glasgow (1575–80) and at St. Andrews (1581–84), helping his uncle Andrew Melville, who had succeeded John Knox as leader of the Scottish Reformed Church, in his efforts to preserve the church from state control. As moderator of the Church of Scotland's general assembly (1589), he opposed any effort to establish conformity with the church government in England. In May 1606 he and his uncle and other ministers were called to London to confer with King James I on church affairs in Scotland. After his uncle was imprisoned in the Tower of London, James Melville was detained in England at Newcastle-on-Tyne until 1613 for his continued refusal to accept the king's policy.