John Witherspoon Scott (January 22, 1800 – November 29, 1892)[1] was an American Presbyterian minister, academic, and college administrator.

The son of George McElroy Scott (1759–1848) and Anna Rey (1775–1852), John was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania.

He received his college education at Yale University and was ordained as a Presbyterian minister.

Scott was hired in the 1820s at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, as its first professor of science.

They had five children: After his wife's death, Scott lived with President and Mrs. Harrison in the White House during their term.