John Tolson (1691–1737) was an important if elusive English clockmaker and watchmaker of the early eighteenth century who, while not particularly remarkable for his invention, is noteworthy because of the fine quality of his clocks and watches.

His short career of 22 years before an early death in 1737 makes his clocks and watches relatively rare and they can command high prices whenever outstanding examples appear at auction.

John Tolson was born in 1691 in the City of London and was baptised on 30 November 1691 in St Magnus the Martyr.

[7] John Tolson married Mary Gillett (born in 1696 and believed to be the daughter of the Huguenot Jacques Gylet, an identification perhaps strengthened by the Huguenot watchmaker Louis Gaudin having also had premises in Hand-alley at the beginning of the 18th century[8]) at St Bartholomew the Great on 29 November 1717,[9] by whom he had one son, John, born in 1722 and baptised at St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate on 20 July 1722.

[11] John Tolson died in Hand-alley in 1737 aged 45, and was interred with his wife at St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate on 11 June of the same year.