Sir James Wright, 1st Baronet

Sir James Wright, 1st Baronet (1717 – 8 March 1804) was an English diplomat and art collector who served as the Minister Resident of Great Britain to Venice from 1766 to 1774.

Background Wright was the son of Thomas Wright and Mary Huband. An encounter there with Lady Mary Wortley Montagu led to an introduction to John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, and his wife Mary, daughter of Lady Mary.

Wright was from that time on good terms with Lord Bute, who became Prime Minister in 1762, the relationship being described by William Bodham Donne as "private friend". Wright was a Groom of the Bedchamber to George III from 21 December 1762 to 30 May 1801. He was knighted on 3 July 1766. for his services as His Majesty's Resident at Venice. The Wrights left Venice in 1773, and in September 1774 he was relieved as minister. This incident terminated the friendship with Bute. Around 1773–1776 Robert Adam worked on Ray House for Wright. Here Wright housed a collection of paintings acquired in his time in Venice. He was an art dealer, and made exaggerated claims for the works: a painting now attributed to Palma Vecchio was described by him as a Giorgione.

Wright founded an artificial slate business on his estate in Woodford.