David Jardine (1818–1856) was a Scottish merchant in China and Hong Kong and the member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong. He was the nephew of Dr. William Jardine, founder of the Jardine Matheson & Co., and elder brother of Joseph Jardine. He is the son of David Jardine (1776-1827). He went to China in 1838 at the age of 20. He became taipan of the Jardine Matheson & Co. on the retirement of Alexander Matheson. David in turn would hand over to his brother Sir Robert Jardine control of the firm. He died shortly after returning to Britain in 1856.