(died 16 December 1644) was an English academic administrator at the University of Oxford.
Tolson was elected Provost (head) of Oriel College, Oxford on 29 June 1621, a post he held until his death in 1644.
[1] During his time as Provost of Oriel College, he was also Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University.
[2][3] In 1642, at the start of the English Civil War, the Vice-Chancellor John Prideaux left Oxford to take up his position as Bishop of Worcester without formally resigning.
His duties were discharged by the Pro-Vice-Chancellors Robert Pincke and then John Tolson.