Samuel Isham (1855–1914) was an American portrait and figure painter, born in New York. He graduated from Yale in 1875 and studied law, but after being admitted to the bar he turned to art and studied in Paris at the Académie Julian. He exhibited at both Paris salons and at the larger American exhibitions, and became a member of the National Academy in 1906. His most important achievement, however, was his History of American Painting (New York, 1905), the best work on the subject. It deserves high praise for its adequate treatment, sympathetic usually just appreciations, and pleasing style.