Edward Balchowsky (February 16, 1916 – November 27, 1989) was an American poet, artist, musician, composer who served in the Abraham Lincoln Brigade during the Spanish Civil War.

Four well-known singer-songwriters wrote songs inspired by Balchowsky, Jimmy Buffett, Loudon Wainwright, Utah Phillips and Dion Dimucci.

Balchowsky traveled to Spain, to volunteer to fight to defend communism, during the Spanish Civil War, in the International Brigades.

He was widely described as serving in the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, but he told Studs Terkel that he had chosen to spend most of his time in Spain with British units, because he found a group of creative people there.

Balchowsky's right wrist was shattered by a machine gun bullet during this engagement, and he eventually had to have his hand amputated.

He sought relief for phantom pain in his missing hand through alcohol and opiates, which brought financial insecurity, but was able to make ends meet, without resorting to begging or theft.

A number of times we thought he had died and he’d show up again, usually with younger and younger girls.″Folk Singer Utah Phillips wrote Eddy's Song about Balchowsky, and Jimmy Buffett said Balchowsky was an inspiration to him, in general, and specifically inspired the song "He Went to Paris".