Major General Henry Spencer Palmer FRAS (30 April 1838 – 10 February 1893) was a British Army military engineer and surveyor, noted for his work in developing Yokohama harbor in the Empire of Japan as a foreign advisor to the Japanese government Henry Palmer was born at Bangalore, British India, on 30 April 1838; the youngest son of John Freke Palmer, then a major of the 32nd Native Infantry, Madras Army, and Jane James, a daughter of John James of Truro, Cornwall, and sister of then Lieutenant Henry James, Royal Engineers.

[7][5] Palmer was educated at private schools in Bath in England and by tutors before being admitted in January 1856 to the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich.

He was commended for his efforts, and during his stay in Canada also contributed papers on British Columbia to the Royal Geographical Society in London.

From 1874, he undertook various postings as a surveyor, civil engineer, and astronomer in New Zealand, Barbados, Hong Kong, and Japan.

After retiring from the Royal Engineers in 1887, he settled in Japan, established a successful civilian practice in Yokohama, where he was hired by the Japanese government to develop designs for the harbor, Ōsanbashi Pier and the city waterworks.