Chapin, James Paul, 1889-1964

James Paul Chapin (July 9, 1889 – April 5, 1964) was an American ornithologist.

Chapin was a former Curator at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. At the age of 19 he took the role of assistant to the American Museum Congo Expedition (1909-1915). This began his life-long association with that region and established his place as an expert on the birds of the Congo. A graduate of Columbia University, Chapin worked at the Museum from 1905 until his official retirement in 1948, after which he took the role of research associate in African Ornithology and curator emeritus until his death.