Josiah Relph (3 December 1712 – 26 June 1743) was a Cumberland poet (his first name is given as Joseph in earlier editions of the Dictionary of National Biography).
Relph's best verses are in the dialect of his native county; they show talent and appreciation of natural beauties.
Relph was born in Churchtown, his father's small estate belonging in the parish of Sebergham, Cumberland.
Though a freeholder or 'statesman' of very small means, Relph's father procured for his son an excellent education at the celebrated school of the Rev.
At fifteen Relph went to Glasgow, returning not long after to fill the post of master in the small grammar school of his native village.