Barry J. Cooper (1948–2023) was an Australian geologist, professor at the University of South Australia, historian of geology and public figure.

He completed his PhD in 1974 at the Ohio State University School of Earth Sciences.

He worked as a professor of geology at the University of South Australia in Adelaide and Whyalla, and conducted research in the field of paleontology, history of geology and popularization of stone heritage.

He was a long-standing active member of many Australian and international organizations and meetings in the geological sciences and their history.

Cooper died on October 13, 2023, in Adelaide, South Australia.