James Phelan Jr. (December 7, 1856 – January 30, 1891) was a nineteenth-century lawyer and politician from Tennessee. He served as a United States Congressman from Tennessee, representing the tenth district.

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James Phelan Jr.
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee's 10th district
In office March 4, 1887 – January 30, 1891
Preceded by	Zachary Taylor
Succeeded by	Josiah Patterson
Personal details
Born	December 7, 1856 (1856-12-07) Aberdeen, Mississippi
Died	January 30, 1891 (1891-01-31) (aged 34) Nassau, Bahamas
Citizenship	United States
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Mary Early Phelan
Parent	James Phelan, Sr.
Relatives	John Dennis Phelan (uncle)
Alma mater	University of Leipzig
Profession	Attorney politician newspaperman author

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Phelan was born in Aberdeen, Mississippi to James Phelan Sr., a member of the Confederate Congress, and Eliza J Phelan. He was of Irish descent on his father's side, and Scottish descent on his mother' side. He attended various schools. In 1874 he went abroad, and in 1878 received his Ph.D. from the University of Leipzig, having written his dissertation on the life and works of Philip Massinger.^[1] Returning to the United States, he married Mary Early of Virginia,^[2] with whom he had three children.

In 1881, Phelan became the owner of The Avalanche, a newspaper in Memphis, Tennessee. He was admitted to the Tennessee bar that same year, and began the practice of law in Memphis.^[3]

Elected as a Democrat to the United States House of Representatives, Phelan served in that body from March 4, 1887, until his death in 1891.^[4] During his term in the House, he published his book, History of Tennessee, the Making of a State.^[5]

Phelan died in Nassau, Bahamas on January 30, 1891. He is interred at Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis, Tennessee.^[6]

• List of United States Congress members who died in office (1790–1899)