Joseph Granville Norwood (December 20, 1807 – May 6, 1895) was a medical doctor and scientist who served in a variety of government capacities in the geological exploration of the upper Midwest, and finished his career as a professor of medicine and first dean of the medical school at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri.

From 1847 to 1851 he worked for David Dale Owen performing field survey throughout Wisconsin Territory and Iowa.

From 1860 to 1880, Norwood's career shifted to academia when he was offered the position of professor of natural sciences at the University of Missouri.

In 1880 his health declined after a fall, and until his death in 1895 he held the title of professor emeritus in physics.

Throughout his career Norwood was a prolific publisher, writing on subjects ranging from medicine to chemistry to geology.