Richard Ward (April 15, 1689 – August 21, 1763) [1] was a governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, serving for one complete term from 1741 to 1742.

His father was a merchant who held many positions in the town government, and his grandfather had been an officer in Cromwell's Army who came to the American colonies following the accession of King Charles II of England.

[1] In 1723 he was paid six pounds for attending the trial of a group of pirates who were taken prisoner by Captain Solgar, commander of the British ship Greyhound.

The couple had 14 children, the ninth of whom was Samuel Ward who would later become a governor of the colony and a delegate to the Continental Congress.

Two other children, Thomas and Henry, both served lengthy terms as Secretary of the Colony.