John Hiram Lathrop (January 22, 1799 – August 2, 1866) was an American educator during the early 19th century.

In 1829 he became professor of mathematics and natural philosophy at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York.

He was married to Frances E. Lothrop [sic] student of Sarah Pierce's Litchfield Female Academy.

Upon the death of Indiana University's first president Andrew Wylie in 1851, the Board of Trustees sought Lathrop as his replacement.

Upon the abrupt departure of President William Mitchel Daily in 1859, the Indiana University Board of Trustees once again sought to fill the office with Lathrop.