Joseph Charles Wilson IV (November 2, 1949 – 2019) was a prominent American diplomat, career U.S. Foreign Service officer, writer, and whistleblower. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, he served for over two decades in various diplomatic roles, including as deputy chief of mission in Iraq during the Gulf War—notably becoming the last U.S. official to meet with Saddam Hussein before the war—and as U.S. ambassador to Gabon. In 2002, he traveled to Niger at the CIA's request and found no evidence of Iraqi uranium purchases. Wilson is best known for his July 2003 New York Times op-ed titled "What I Didn't Find in Africa," which challenged the George W. Bush administration's claim that Iraq sought yellowcake uranium from Niger. This public dissent triggered the Plame affair, a political scandal resulting from the retaliatory leak of his wife Valerie Plame's identity as a covert CIA officer. The affair led to the conviction of Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, Scooter Libby, for perjury and obstruction of justice.

Beyond his diplomatic career, Wilson was an outspoken critic of the Iraq War and the neoconservative foreign policy agenda. He authored the bestselling 2004 memoir "The Politics of Truth: Inside the Lies that Led to War and Betrayed My Wife's CIA Identity" and later co-authored "Fair Game" with Plame, which was adapted into a 2010 film. After leaving government service, Wilson founded JC Wilson International Ventures, a consulting firm focused on Africa and the Middle East, and served as vice chairman of Jarch Capital, LLC. He was also a vocal political adviser and Democratic supporter, notably advising John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign.

Wilson was married to Valerie Plame from 1998 until his death, and together they had four children from previous marriages. His legacy is characterized by his commitment to truth and diplomatic solutions over military intervention, his role as a whistleblower, and his influence on public debates regarding U.S. foreign policy. Wilson also engaged in legal battles related to the Plame leak, including a dismissed libel lawsuit against columnist Robert Novak. Throughout his life, he remained active in public discourse and advocacy until his passing.