james w. morgan (1891 – 1971) was a mayor of the city of birmingham, alabama, united states, from 1953-1961. morgan was born in 1891 in birmingham and educated in that city. he served as a politician in birmingham from 1934 when he was appointed to the parks and recreation board until 1964 when he resigned from that board. he was mayor from 1953-1961, replacing w. cooper green. in 1955, morgan led the fundraising drive for the birmingham zoo, which initially bore his name.