Joseph Addison Waddell (March 19, 1823 – February 17, 1914) was an American lawyer, politician, newspaperman and author from Virginia.

Although his father had a medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Joseph Waddell was educated in Virginia: first at the Staunton Academy, then briefly at Washington College (which later became Washington and Lee University).

After admission to the Virginia bar, Waddell had a private legal practice in his native Augusta County, but was drawn to journalism.

In 1860, Waddell was appointed a commissioner in chancery, under the guidance of his mentor Judge Thompson, who presided over the circuit court for three decades, including during the American Civil War.

He also served as the county's commissioner of accounts, and clerk of the Virginia Court of Appeals when it sat in Staunton.

In 1865, Augusta county voters elected Waddell to represent them, part-time in the Virginia House of Delegates.