James Laughlin (October 30, 1914 - November 12, 1997) was an American poet and literary book publisher who founded New Directions Publishing. Laughlin won the 1992 Distinguished Contribution to American Letters Award from the National Book Awards Program. The Academy of American Poets' James Laughlin award, for a poet's second book, is named in his honor. Laughlin's works include: The House of Light, The Man in the Wall, The Country Road, Byways: A Memoir. Laughlin died of stroke complications at age 83.