Henry Howard, 1st Earl of Northampton (1540–1614), was an English nobleman and a prominent figure during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He was the son of Henry Howard, 1st Duke of Norfolk and was known for his involvement in the political intrigues of the time. He was appointed as the Earl of Northampton in 1604 and held various positions in the royal court. Howard was also a patron of the arts and literature, supporting writers such as William Shakespeare. His life was marked by his family's historical ties to the House of Tudor and the complex dynamics of English nobility during the late 16th and early 17th centuries.