Solomon Hicks Bethea (May 18, 1852 – August 3, 1909) was an American attorney, politician and judge.

Born in Lee County, Illinois, Bethea read law in 1876.

He was a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1882 to 1883 and Mayor of Dixon.

Bethea was nominated by President Theodore Roosevelt on March 18, 1905, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois vacated by Judge Christian Cecil Kohlsaat.

He was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 18, 1905, and received his commission the same day.