Matthew Henry Barker (1790–1846), was an English sailor, journalist, newspaper editor and writer of sea tales.
Barker was born in 1790 at Deptford, where his father had attained some distinction as a dissenting minister.
At an early age he joined an East Indiaman, and afterwards served in the Royal Navy, where, as he was without influence, he never rose beyond the rank of master's mate.
Retiring from the service, he commanded a hired armed schooner, and was employed in carrying despatches to the English squadrons on the southern coasts of France and Spain.
On one occasion he fell into the enemy's hands, and was detained for some months as prisoner of war.