Samuel John Carter (1835–1892) was an English artist and illustrator.
Carter was based in London and Swaffham, Norfolk. He was a reputed animal painter, working for the Illustrated London News in that field from 1867 to 1889. He also worked as a portrait painter, in his Norfolk locale. Exhibiting at the Royal Academy, he drew positive comment from John Ruskin.
Carter married Martha Joyce (c. 1837 – 1920) of Swaffham, and they had 10 sons, one daughter.Howard Carter was their youngest child.