John Atherton (1598–1640) was an Anglican bishop.
John Atherton may also refer to:
John Atherton (died 1573) (c. 1513–1573), MP for Lancashire in 1559 John Atherton (died 1617) (c. 1557–1617), MP for Lancashire in 1586 and Lancaster in 1589 John Atherton (pioneer) (1837–1913), English explorer of Queensland, Australia John Carlton Atherton (1900–1952), American artist John McDougal Atherton (1841–1932), American businessman, property developer and politician John W. Atherton (1916–2001), founding president of Pitzer College