Benjamin Lester (13 July 1724 – 25 January 1802) was a British politician and merchant involved in the Newfoundland fishery.
He was born in Poole, England, the son of Rachell Taverner and Francis Lester, who was a merchant and also served as mayor of Poole, and the nephew of William Taverner.
After the death of his employers, he entered the fish trade on his own, partnering with his brother Isaac.
Lester continued to return to Newfoundland for the fishing season until 1776.
In England, he lobbied for the exclusion of the Americans from the fish trade.