JOHN EBSON THORNE (January 20, 1921-May 10, 2002) was a San Jose-based attorney and activist who specialized in civil rights and constitutional law. Over the course of his career, Thorne extended his legal services to organizations including the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP), the American Indian Movement (AIM), and anti-Vietnam War activists. He also represented Black Panther Party member and activist George Jackson, and intellectual Angela Davis. Thorne was also a prominent figure in Santa Clara County and California Democratic Party politics.