Sir James Benjamin Slade (12 December 1861 - 15 April 1950) was an auctioneer, horticulturist and local politician. Born in Hampstead, his family moved to Leytonstone when he was ten. Slade was a senior partner in the firm of Protheroe and Morris, auctioneers and surveyors. He settled in Leyton in the Essex suburbs of London, and entered local politics. He was elected to Leyton Urban District Council in 1895, retiring from the council in 1920. For 48 years he was a member of Essex County Council representing the Cann Hall area of Leyton from 1898 and as an alderman from 1926.