John Reuben Thompson (October, 23 1823–April, 30 1873) was an American poet, journalist, editor and publisher

Thompson did not take part in the Civil War due to health reasons and went to London, from where he sustained the Confederacy writing articles on English magazines. In 1866 he became editor of the New York Evening Post, position that he maintained until his death in New York in 1873.

Thompson was also a poet, most of his works being war-poems.

During his career and travels, Thompson had the chance to work closely with Edgar Allan Poe, many notable South authors, such as William Gilmore Simms, Henry Timrod, Paul Hamilton Hayne and Philip Pendelton Cooke, and European authors as well.