John Morgan Francis (March 6, 1823 – June 18, 1897) was an American journalist and diplomat.

He left home in 1838 and began working in Canandaigua, New York, for several newspapers.

He moved to Troy, New York in 1846 and was chief editor of the Northern Budget.

Francis founded the Troy Daily Times on June 25, 1841.

As a diplomat, Francis served as United States Minister to Greece (1871-1873), as Minister Resident/Consul General to Portugal (1882-1884) (originally appointed Chargé d'Affaires, he took the oath of office, but did not proceed to the post in that capacity), and as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Austria-Hungary (1884-1885).