Richard Dawson (1855–1923) was an Irish barrister and Conservative politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Leeds East from November 1885 until July 1886.

He was educated at Hertford College, Oxford and became a barrister.

[3] Henry Chaplin was reportedly in Leeds on the evening of 21 November 1885 for a meeting of Conservatives held in the Albert Hall, Leeds, in support of the candidature of Dawson who was seeking the suffrages of the electors of Leeds East in the Conservative interest in the 1885 general election.

[4] Subsequently, Dawson was elected Member of Parliament for Leeds East, his election agent being J.W.

[2][5] From 1885 to 1886, Dawson was private secretary to fellow Conservative politician Henry Chaplin, 1st Viscount Chaplin who was Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and a life-long friend of the Prince of Wales.