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. Shaw was born in Boston to Francis and Sarah (Burt) Shaw. 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. From 1779 to 1783 he served as aide-de-camp to General Henry Knox, chief of the Continental Artillery, in 1780 becoming captain of the 3rd Artillery, and serving in a staff role at the Battle of Trenton, Battle of Monmouth, and Battle of Yorktown.