Thomas Edmund Burke (January 15, 1875 – February 14, 1929) was an American sprinter.

He had no such reputation for the first event he entered in the inaugural modern Olympic Games in Athens, 1896.

With many top sprinters absent, Burke surprisingly won the 100 meters.

[4] Later in his career, Burke specialized in the longer distances, winning IC4A titles in the 440 and 880 yards events.

[4] In World War I he was commissioned a first lieutenant and at age 43 was the oldest man in the US military to earn his aviator's wings.