John Saul Howson (5 May 1816 – 1885), English divine, was born at Giggleswick-on-Craven, Yorkshire.
Howson's father was head-master of Giggleswick School. His uncle George Howson (1860–1919) was a reforming headmaster of Gresham's School.
After attending the school, he went to Trinity College, Cambridge. Graduating BA in 1837 and MA in 1840, he became private tutor at Cambridge to the Marquess of Sligo and the Marquess of Lorne.
He married the daughter of John Cropper, who survived him by only a few days. He died at Bournemouth on 15 December 1885 and was buried in the cloister garth of Chester.
Howson was the father of George Howson (1854–1943) who was Archdeacon of Warrington from 1916 to 1933, and then Archdeacon of Liverpool from 1933 to 1934; another son James Howson (1856–1934) was Archdeacon of Craven from 1928 to 1934. His grandson George Howson was the founder and chairman of the Royal British Legion Poppy Factory.
In 1845 Howson, having taken orders, accepted the post of senior classical master at the Liverpool College under his friend W. J. Conybeare, whom he succeeded as principal in 1849. This post he held until 1865, and it was largely due to his influence that a similar college for girls was established at Liverpool.