William Swinden Barber (1832–1908) was an English architect associated with the Gothic Revival and Arts and Crafts movements. Based primarily in Brighouse and Halifax within the West Riding of Yorkshire, Barber established a distinguished regional reputation. He specialized in designing modest yet exquisitely furnished Anglican churches, which frequently featured distinctive crenellated bell-towers and showcased his meticulous attention to interior craftsmanship and historical styles.
Over the course of his active career, Barber produced numerous structures that remain celebrated architectural landmarks today. At least fifteen of his surviving works have been designated as Grade II listed buildings, reflecting their historical and architectural significance. Among his most notable achievements is his 1875 design for the Victoria Cross monument at Akroydon, Halifax, which stands as a testament to his versatile design capabilities outside of traditional ecclesiastical architecture.
Beyond his architectural practice, Barber was active in contemporary artistic and military circles during the mid-Victorian era. In the 1860s, he served in the Artists Rifles regiment alongside several prominent creatives of his day, including the artist and photographer David Wilkie Wynfield. Wynfield captured Barber's likeness in an 1864 portrait depicting him in Romantic garb holding a flower, illustrating his integration into the vibrant artistic community of the period.