James Butler, English sculptor and educator

James Walter Butler MBE RA (born 25 July 1931 in London) is a British sculptor.

Butler was educated at Maidstone Grammar School and studied art at Saint Martin's School of Art and the Royal College of Art. For 10 years he was a professional stone carver. He taught sculpture and drawing at the City and Guilds of London Art School and was visiting professor to the Royal Academy School. He was first elected to the Royal Academy of Arts in 1964 and is a member of the Royal West of England Academy and fellow of the Royal British Society of Sculptors.

He has works in private collections throughout the world and has undertaken numerous public commissions. He designed the current version of the British Great Seal.

Butler was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours.He was asked to commission a memorial in dedication to the 167th Infantry Regiment of the World War I Rainbow Division in New Croix Rouge Farm, France.