John Church Dempsey (1802–1877) was an English artist specialising in portraiture. He operated a stationery shop in Bristol, but in 1845 he was declared bankrupt and his effects were seized. After this he became semi-itinerant, travelling as far afield as Norwich and Durham. He painted miniatures and silhouette portraits primarily, as well as the occasional full canvas. In later life (after 1850) he took up photography.