Jonathan Pearson (February 23, 1813 - June 20, 1887) was an American botanist and historian.

[1] Pearson was born in Chichester, New Hampshire, where his father worked as a miller.

[2] From 1832 to 1835 he attended Union College in Schenectady, New York, as a student before taking a position as a tutor in 1836, eventually becoming a professor.

[6] He was also a plant collector and accomplished botanist, and was particularly interested in the local flora of his town.

[7] A small number of specimens collected by Pearson are held by the National Herbarium of Victoria Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, and the National Museum of Natural History, France.