George Campbell Read (January 9, 1788 – August 22, 1862) was a United States Navy officer.

Read was born on January 9, 1788,[1] in Ireland[2] and emigrated to the United States at an early age.

At the age of 16, Read entered service in the United States Navy as a midshipman on April 2, 1804.

[4] On April 25, 1810,[3] after six years of service, Read was promoted to lieutenant, and he served aboard USS Constitution under Commodore Isaac Hull during the War of 1812.

[5] After the victory of the USS Constitution vs HMS Guerriere, Read was assigned by Hull to board the British vessel, accept her surrender,[6] remove the prisoners, and set her ablaze.

He received Congressional silver medals for his service on the Constitution and United States during the War of 1812.

[8] In April 1832, Read was given command of the USS Constellation for a two-year voyage off the coast of northern Africa.

He served on a Naval board with Commodores Thomas ap Catesby Jones, Matthew C. Perry, and Captains Elie A. F. La Vallette and Isaac Mayo for the examination of midshipmen entitled to promotion.