Alfred Rudolph Waud (Pronounced: /wɔːd/; October 2, 1828 – April 6, 1891) was an American artist and illustrator, born and raised in London, England.

He is most notable for the sketches he made as an artist correspondent during the American Civil War.

Before immigration, Alfred Waud had trained at the Government School of Design at Somerset House, London, with the intention of becoming a marine painter.

He intended to pursue that work in the United States when he immigrated in 1850; he sought employment with actor and playwright John Brougham.

During the American Civil War, all published images in newspapers and media were hand drawn and engraved by skilled artists.

An artist such as Waud made detailed sketches in the field, which were rushed by courier back to the main office of the newspaper the men worked for.

The wood engraving was copied via the electrotype process, which produced a metal printing plate to use in publication.