• Name: Alderson, Dr James
• Gender: Male
• Birth Date:
• Death Date: 20  October  1825
• Occupation: physician

Dr James Alderson was the son of a dissenting minister (also James). He grew up in East Anglia and settled in Norwich. He had reformist sympathies. He was the father of Godwin's intimate, Amelia Opie née Alderson.

'Alderson' entries have been coded as James (rather than Amelia, his daughter). The first recorded meeting is on Godwin's trip to Norwich in 1794 - when Dr Alderson calls upon him, after which there are several meetings (with the 'Dr.' being dropped after the first meeting). It is assumed by most biographers that Godwin meets Alderson for the first time at this point - but it may be that they knew each other in some respect from much earlier in Godwin's life, both being associated with dissenting circles in Norfolk. Suggestively, there is no mention of Alderson, father or daughter, in the lists of first meetings in the diary for 1796. After the Norwich trip their next meeting is when Alderson calls with Godwin on the actress Sarah Siddons in London. (12 April 1795) There are several isolated London calls, then a period in July 1796 when Godwin visits Norwich again. 'Dr.' Alderson appears again in 1798 on one occasion, and then at Opies in 1799. There is then a further visit to Norwich in September/October1803 and a brief visit in 1805.

Godwin recorded his death.

• DNB, entry for Amelia Opie, née Alderson

This table lists the people this person is most frequently noted with in the diary.