Joseph Thornton (born 1843) was a brush manufacturer, hardware retailer and local politician.
Born in Leicestershire, by 1881 he was living in Southwark St. George the Martyr and was a parliamentary agent for the Liberal Party in the area.
Progressive Party member of the London County Council elected 1889, 1892, 1895 (resigned 1 June 1899) for Southwark (Bermondsey).