Francesco Ferrara (2 April 1767 – 12 February 1850) was an Italian geologist, active mainly in Sicily, and known for his studies in vulcanology.

He was born to parents of little means from the town of Trecastagni in Sicily, but was sent to study by the age of 11 years to Catania under professor Benedetto d'Agata.

He then gained the appointment as professor of Natural History at the University of Palermo.

Ferrara was prolific and wrote numerous books on diverse topics.

In 1834, he wrote a biography of his brother Alfio (1777-1829) who served as a doctor in the British army.