J. P. Scales

James Pinckney Scales was a lawyer and state legislator in Mississippi. He served in the Mississippi House of Representatives including as Speaker of the House. He was from a prominent family. He was a Confederate officer during the American Civil War.

He was born in South Carolina. He graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1849. He served during the American Civil War.

He became Speaker at age 31. He wrote to governor John J. Pettus. He represented Carroll County, Mississippi.