George Butterfield (1879 – 24 September 1917) was a British athlete. He ran the world's fastest mile in 1906, and competed at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London. Born in Stockton on Tees, Butterfield came in second in his semifinal heat in the 800 metres with a time of 1:58.9. His finish, while behind Ödön Bodor's, was ahead of defending champion James Lightbody's. Butterfield did not advance to the final. Butterfield was killed in action during the First World War, serving as a private with the Royal Garrison Artillery. He was buried in the Birr Cross Roads Cemetery.