Sir James Horner Haslett was a Conservative MP and chemist who served as Mayor of Belfast during 1887 and 1888.

Born in 1832, James was the son of Rev Henry Haslett, a Presbyterian minister. James Haslett was educated at a private school at Knock and later at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution. He served an apprenticeship as a pharmacist with William Dobbin before establishing a wholesale and retail druggist, J&J Haslett, with his brother John.

Haslett served on the Belfast Corporation continuously from December 1867 until his death in August 1905. He was first elected as councillor for Smithfield Ward and in January 1897, was elected as alderman for Woodvale ward. He acted as chairman of the Corporation’s Finance Committee and sat on the Public Health Committee.

Haslett was involved in many of Belfast’s most important municipal projects. These include the clearing of Hercules Street and John Street to create Royal Avenue, the completion of the Main Drainage works, the installation of electric lighting and the municipalisation of the city’s tramways.

Haslett was elected as a Conservative MP for West Belfast in 1885. He was re-elected for North Belfast in 1896 and held the seat until his death in August 1905.