Wade Rutledge Keyes (October 10, 1821 – March 2, 1879) was a prominent Confederate politician. He was born in Mooresville, Alabama, the son of General George and Nellie (Rutledge) Keyes. He was educated by private tutors and attended LaGrange College (now the University of North Alabama) and the University of Virginia before moving to Lexington, Kentucky, in late 1840s to study law. He had a daughter, Mary, by his marriage to a Miss Whitfield. Keyes was a Methodist and a Democrat.