Joel Tyler Headley (December 30, 1813 – January 16, 1897) was an American clergyman, historian, author, newspaper editor, adventurer and politician who served as Secretary of State of New York.

After being ordained, he preached at Stockbridge, Massachusetts, but soon had to give up his profession due to the strain, going to Europe in 1842.

He later accepted the solicitations of Horace Greeley and became associate editor of the New York Tribune.

Outside of the city boundary, in the mostly rural town of New Windsor, Headley purchased approximately 13 acres of land in the summer of 1850.

In Newburgh, Headley selected the architectural firm of Andrew Jackson Downing and Calvert Vaux to build his home.