James F. Burke (October 21, 1867-August 8, 1932) was Republican member of the U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania. James Burke was born in Petroleum Center, PA. He graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1892. He was admitted to the bar the same year and commenced practice in Pittsburgh, PA. He was the secretary of the Republican National Committee in 1892, resigning during the same year to devote his entire time to his duties as president of the American Republican College League.
He was appointed by President Harrison to codify the navigation laws of the United States. He was officer of, or a delegate to, the Republican National Conventions from 1892 to 1924, with the exception of the year 1912. He was appointed a delegate to the Parliamentary Peace Conference at Brussels in 1905.
He was elected in 1905 as a Republican to the 59th Congress. He was Chairman of the Committee on Education (61st Congress). He was not a candidate for renomination in 1914. he became United States Government Director of War Savings during the First World War. He resumed the practice of law, and was elected General Counsel of the Republican National Committee in December 1927 and served until his death. He was parliamentarian of the Republican National Convention at Kansas City, MO, in 1928. He died in Washington, D.C., and is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Pittsburgh, PA.
