Edward Bartley (23 February 1839 – 28 May 1919) was a Jersey-born New Zealand architect. Beginning as a builder, Bartley transitioned into a career as an architect, not an uncommon occurrence in the 19th century. He is responsible for designing more than 20 churches and some of Auckland's most notable buildings.

Bartley was born to Robert Bartley (18 October 1798 – 9 April 1857) and Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Benest (27 December 1801 – 24 March 1856) in Saint Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands.

The Bartley family lived in a tight-knit community in Saint Helier. They also had family connections on the island of Guernsey, mainland Europe and in the United States. The Bartley family resided in a home in Union Court, St Helier – a short lane running off the north side of Union Street. The family home was designed and built by Edward Bartley's father, Robert Bartley.

Edward Bartley was the tenth child born to his parents. Bartley's parents had twelve children, however, only five would survive through childhood.

The Bartley children were well educated according to standards of the time. Bartley received lessons in drawing, drafting, music, calculation, languages, classics and mathematics. Bartley also acquired a taste for science and technologies which were advancing rapidly at the time. In particular, the advancements made in the development of the microscope, and in photography, were of interest to him all his life.

The Bartley children were well educated, according to the standards of the day. Edward received a solid grounding in drawing, drafting, music and calculation, in addition to the languages, classics and mathematics. He had also acquired a taste for the new science and technologies, which were developing swiftly at that time. In particular the advancements made in the development of the microscope, and in photography, continued to interest him all his life.

Edward Bartley began his career as an apprentice to his father, at the age of thirteen. In this field, he followed his older brother, Robert, who had already qualified as a master builder. After two years, Edward Bartley left Jersey having acquired some work experience and the sale-able skills of building and carpentry. Bartley made the decision to leave Jersey due to the flat local economy which had resulted in no further public building projects.

Bartley's father, Robert, was of an age to retire. He had also contracted tuberculosis, a disease which had already claimed the lives of several family members. In June 1854, Edward Bartley departed from London with his older brother Robert and his family with their sights set on New Zealand. There were a number of destinations available to immigrate to, but the possibility of land grants to approved settlers may have tipped the balance in favour of the Bartley brothers choosing to immigrate to New Zealand. The Auckland local government was keen to attract immigrants and had advertised in the British Isles the opportunity to receive free grants of land in the Auckland area.