Joshua McCarter Simpson was a store proprietor, herbalist, poet and lyricist in the United States. He lamented the enslavement of African Americans, called out the hypocrisy of white Christian abusers, and denounced the brutal treatment and discrimination African Americans received. His songs were published in 1854 as The Emancipation Car: Being an Original Composition of Anti-Slavery Ballads, Composed Exclusively for the Underground Railroad. His work was well known and widely circulated during his lifetime. Alternative first (John) and last names (McCarty) have been noted.