John Meredith Read Sr. (July 21, 1797 – November 29, 1874) was an American lawyer, jurist, and politician from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Both of his grandfathers (George Read and Samuel Meredith) had served in the Continental Congress.

Read began his political career when he was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1822.

Although his family had been Federalists, he became an ardent supporter of the Free Soil wing of the Democratic Party.

In 1845, President John Tyler nominated him to the Supreme Court of the United States; but, his earlier stance against the expansion of slavery into the territories caused the southern Democratic Senators to oppose his nomination and it was withdrawn.