Josiah Clowes (1735–1795) was a noted civil engineer and canal builder. His masterpiece in the Sapperton Tunnel
Clowes was appointed head engineer, surveyor and carpenter to the Thames and Severn Canal in 1783 to assist Robert Whitworth. Clowes became resident engineer and was paid £300 per year. Clowes' work on the canal developed him a reputation which made highly sought after in the remaining five years of his life. He left the construction of the canal in 1789 shortly before completion to work on Dudley Tunnel.
The Worcester and Birmingham Canal was surveyed by Josiah Clowes and John Snape.
In 1790 he surveyed the line for the Hereford and Gloucester Canal.
He was Engineer of the Shrewsbury Canal from 1793 until his death, and was succeeded in this role by Thomas Telford.