James Beckett

James Walter Beckett (5 August 1875 – 19 December 1938) was an Irish politician and building contractor.

Early and personal life James Beckett was born in Sandymount, Dublin on 5 August 1875. The family moved to 7 Kildare Street while Beckett's father worked on the construction of National Library and National Museum of Ireland. They later moved to Ely Place. He attended Rathmines School, Dublin. He served an apprenticeship with Patterson & Kempster, quantity surveyors; became head of the family building firm James Beckett Ltd, Ringsend, in 1915; and was later president of the Builders' Federation and the Dublin Master Builders' Association. He was re-elected at each general election until he lost his seat at the 1937 general election. He regained his seat at the 1938 general election in June but died in December 1938. The by-election caused by his death was held on 6 June 1939 and was won by John McCann of Fianna Fáil.