Joseph English (athlete)

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Joseph English (7 January 1883 – 7 June 1942) was a British middle-distance runner from Manchester who specialized in steeplechase. He became Northern Counties champion in 1906 and won the British steeplechase title in 1907 at the AAA Championships. He collected eight Northern titles in total (1906–1910 and 1912–1914) and won a second AAA Championship in 1910.

English represented Great Britain at the 1908 Olympic Games in London, competing in the 3200 metres steeplechase; he fell in his heat and did not advance. He was also listed for the 800 metres but did not start.

During World War I, he served as a sapper with the Royal Engineers and earned the Distinguished Conduct Medal for repairing telephone lines under enemy fire. After the war, he continued to compete, finishing second to George Gray at the 1919 AAA Championships.

Off the track, English was a plumber by trade and became a life member of Manchester A.C., later serving as the club's president. He died in Manchester in 1942 at age 59.