David Preston Thompson (November 8, 1834 – December 14, 1901) was an American businessman and politician in the Pacific Northwest.

During the American Civil War he joined the United States Army, but remained in Oregon and did not see any action.

In his later years, the father of three served as mayor of Portland, Oregon, and as United States minister to the Ottoman Empire.

[2] He was then appointed as a deputy surveyor for the United States to survey public lands in both the Oregon and Washington territories, serving until 1863.

[2] With the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861 Thompson enlisted in the United States Army where he rose to the rank of captain in the First Oregon Cavalry.

While governor Thompson oversaw several mail contracts, he maintained his residence in Oregon and made only brief trips to Idaho Territory.

[2] Then in 1892 President Benjamin Harrison appointed Thompson as United States minister to the Ottoman Empire where he served until resigning in 1893.

[11][12] David P. Thompson died December 14, 1901,[5] in Portland, and his cremated remains were interred at River View Cemetery.