James Mathews Griggs was a U.S. Representative from Georgia. Born in Lagrange, Georgia, Griggs attended the common schools and was graduated from the Peabody Normal College, Nashville, Tennessee, in 1881. Griggs taught school and studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1883 and commenced the practice of law in Alapaha, Georgia. He also engaged in the newspaper business.

Griggs was elected by the legislature solicitor general of the Pataula judicial circuit in 1888. He was reelected in 1892 and served until his resignation in 1893 to accept appointment by the Governor as judge of the Pataula judicial circuit. Griggs was elected to the same office by the legislature and was reelected and served until his resignation in 1896 to accept the Democratic nomination for Congress.

Griggs served as delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1892. He served as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 1904-1908. Griggs was elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-fifth and to the six succeeding Congresses and served from March 4, 1897, until his death in Dawson, Georgia, January 5, 1910.