Richard Shindell (born August 3, 1960, in Lakehurst, New Jersey) is an American folk songwriter. Shindell grew up in Port Washington, New York. He lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with his wife, a university professor, and their children.

Shindell's songwriting often involves storytelling from a first-person point of view: an INS officer and illegal immigrant in "Fishing," a World War II soldier in "Sparrow's Point," a Confederate drummerboy in "Arrowhead," an Argentine grandmother in "Abuelita," and a power broker in "Confession." His other personas include a New York City cab driver in "Last Fare of the Day," a man on death row in "Ascent," a Civil War widow in "Reunion Hill," and Mary Magdalene.