Professor Elfyn John Richards (28 December 1914 – 7 September 1995) was a Welsh aeronautical engineer and acoustical engineer, the first professor of either of these subjects at University of Southampton, where he founded the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research, and was the second Vice-Chancellor of Loughborough University of Technology.

[1] Richards (sometimes known as "Sam") was born in Barry, Glamorgan on 28 December 1914, and studied at Barry Grammar School, University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, and St John's College, Cambridge, where he read mathematics and physics.

[2][3] Richards began his career at the Bristol Aeroplane Company, then moved to the National Physical Laboratory studying aerofoil design.

After this he returned to Southampton University, taking up a chair in the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research.

[2] He is commemorated in Elvyn Richards student accommodation at Loughborough University.