John Hanson Twombly (July 19, 1814 – January 1, 1893) was a Methodist minister and the fourth president of the University of Wisconsin.

He was known as an advocate for co-education and women's education, which led to tensions with the university regents and, ultimately, his ouster.

[1] He also worked as the New England Education Society secretary from 1857 to 1871, the American Institute director from 1868 to 1870, and Charlestown, Massachusetts, public schools superintendent from 1866 to 1870.

[4] Samuel Fallows, UW class of 1859 and a local Reformed Episcopal Church bishop, was Twombly's main advocate.

[1] The regents withheld some of his executive power due to their doubt, and eventually asked him to resign in June 1873.