Ralph Kirkpatrick (June 10, 1911–April 13, 1984) was a musician, musicologist and harpsichordist, born in in Leominster, Massachusetts.

He studied music notation and piano at the Harvard University and went on to further studies by Nadia Boulanger and revival pioneer Wanda Landowska in Paris, Arnold Dolmetsch in Haslemere, Heinz Tiessen in Berlin and Günther Ramin in Leipzig. From 1933–34 he taught at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. A Guggenheim-Scholarship enabled him to study in Europe.

From 1940 he was professor at the Yale University, where he published his biography of Domenico Scarlatti and a critical edition of Scarlatti's complete works. These are now conventionally designated by their "Kirkpatrick Numbers" (see opus number).

Moreover he worked about Modern Music as Quincy Porters Concert for Harpsichord and Orchestra, Darius Milhauds Sonate for Violine and Harpsichord, Doubelconcert for Harpsichord, Piano and Chamberorchestra by Elliott Carter, which is dedicated to himself.

As a performer and recording artist, he became best known for his harpsichord performances of the keyboard music of Johann Sebastian Bach and Domenico Scarlatti. He also recorded on the clavichord (e.g. Bach's two- and three-part inventions) and on the fortepiano (especially works by Mozart).

Ralph Kirkpatrick died in Guilford, Connecticut, 72 years old.