Samuel Shaw (October 2, 1754 – May 30, 1794) was an American Revolutionary War army officer and diplomat, who served as the first United States consul to China.

In 1775 he joined the militia during the Siege of Boston, and in December of that year was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Continental Artillery, and commanded at Fort Washington in 1776.

In 1784, after war's end, he sailed on the Empress of China as an American diplomat to inaugurate the China trade, and from 1786 to 1789 served as consul at Canton.

He returned to the United States in 1792 but sailed again for China when reappointed by President George Washington.

There he remained until the final year of his life; he died near the Cape of Good Hope on his return voyage to the United States.