Richard Ellis (27 January 1842 – 23 December 1924) was a British-Maltese photographer who was one of the pioneers of photography in Malta during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Born in St. Luke's, East London, he travelled throughout Europe as a circus performer[1] before settling down in Malta at the age of nineteen.

[1] During a trip to Paris, James Conroy and Richard Ellis became interested in photography and attended the Daguerre Institute.

[1] On his arrival in Malta, James Conroy opened a Daguerreotype photography studio, where Ellis worked as his assistant.

[6] By 1870 James Conroy has opened additional premises at 134, Strada Stretta, where mostly carte de visite were produced.

[6] In 1871 Ellis set up his own studio at 43, Strada Stretta, Valletta, probably due to the unconventional lifestyle of the Conroys and Anceschi.

Ellis is buried at the cemetery of Santa Maria Addolorata ("Our Lady of Sorrows") in Paola, which is Malta's largest graveyard.