John William Edinburgh Thomas (May 1, 1847 – December 18, 1899) was an American businessman, educator, and Illinois politician.

Born into slavery in Alabama, he moved to Chicago after the Civil War, where he became a prominent community leader.

Thomas was instrumental in passage of Illinois' first anti-discrimination in public accommodations law, which he introduced in 1885.

During the American Civil War, Thomas defied laws governing slavery, and taught other slaves how to read and write.

Also in 1885, Thomas introduced the legislation which became Illinois' first law preventing discrimination in public accommodations.