Norman J. W. Thrower (1919–2020) was an American scholar noted for his work in history, geography, and surveying practices.
His areas of expertise included mapping, surveying, Sir Francis Drake, Isaac Newton, Edmond Halley.
He was associated with the director of the UCLA Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies and directed the Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Programs at the UCLA Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies.
Thrower held the position as the founding President of the California Map Society in 1979.
And from 1975 to 1981 Thrower served as President for the State of California’s Sir Francis Drake Commission.