James Margolis

James Arthur Margolis (July 17, 1936 – May 13, 2025) was an American Olympic épée fencer.

Early life Margolis was born in New York, New York, and is Jewish. His brother Don also fenced for Columbia University, coming in third in the NCAA nationals in épée in 1963. He later lived in Teaneck, New Jersey.

Fencing career He fenced for the Columbia Lions fencing team. Margolis was the 1957 NCAA épée champion, as well as the 1957 IFA champion, fencing as a junior for Columbia University, from which he graduated in 1958.

In 1960, Margolis placed third in epee at the Amateur Fencers League of America (AFLA) national tournament. He was the Ivy League's first Olympian in fencing.

He competed in the 1960 Pan American Games.

Margolis was inducted into the Columbia University Athletics Hall of Fame.