John Patrick Darling Sr. (23 February 1831 – 10 April 1905) was a Scots businessman who developed as a merchant and the largest grain exporter in Australia.

[1] Born in Edinburgh, as a young married man he emigrated with his family to Australia in 1855, following friends who had traveled there some years before because of the colony's opportunities.

His father died when he was 10, and the boy was forced to leave school at the age of 11 to help support his family.

Several of his friends, including Alexander Dowie and Joseph Ferguson, emigrated to South Australia in 1851.

Over the years there, Dowie built a bootmaking and tannery business, and Ferguson became an owner of The Register in Adelaide.

Although this job did not last long, he soon found work with baker Robert Birrell of Grenfell street.

Darling left to work as a carter and, at the same time, helped his wife set up a store adjacent to the Stag Inn on Rundle Street.

Known as the "Grain King," Darling set up branches throughout South Australia's wheat belt.

With Patrick "Paddy" Coglin, he was elected for the House of Assembly seat of the West Adelaide district.

In June 1885, he accepted the portfolio of Commissioner of Public Works in Sir John Downer's Ministry, but he retired from Government in October of the same year.

He became interested in cricket through his son Joseph (who captained Australia in 21 Test matches), and took a leading part in establishing the Adelaide Oval.