John Sylvanus Thompson (1889-1963) was an American pianist, composer, and educator born in Williamsburg, Pennsylvania. He appeared to have a promising concert career in his early twenties, concertizing in many European and American cities. Because of health issues and the start of World War I, he was forced to return to the United States where he began a long and distinguished career in piano pedagogy. Thompson headed music conservatories in Philadelphia, Indianapolis, and Kansas City.
His piano methods, Modern Course for the Piano, Teaching Little Fingers to Play and Easiest Piano Course are published by The Willis Music Company and remain some of the best-selling methods in the world today.
Thompson died in Tucson, Arizona after a long illness in 1963.