James Cranfield, 2nd Earl of Middlesex

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James Cranfield, 2nd Earl of Middlesex (1621 – 16 September 1651) was an English politician and nobleman. He was born to Lionel Cranfield, the 1st Earl of Middlesex, and was baptized on 27 December 1621. From 1622 to 1645 he was known as Lord Cranfield.

In April 1640, Cranfield was elected Member of Parliament for Liverpool in the Short Parliament. He then inherited the Earldom of Middlesex on the death of his father in 1645, becoming the 2nd Earl of Middlesex.

During the Civil War era he held several local offices. He was Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire in 1646 and Keeper of Kingswood Forest in 1647. In 1648, he served as a Parliamentary commissioner at the Treaty of Newport, which sought to resolve the war between Parliament and the King.

Cranfield married Lady Anne Bourchier, daughter of Edward Bourchier, 4th Earl of Bath. Their daughter Elizabeth later married John Egerton, 3rd Earl of Bridgewater. James Cranfield died on 16 September 1651 and was succeeded by his brother Lionel Cranfield, who became the 3rd Earl of Middlesex.