John Paton (25 August 1881 – 22 August 1935) was a Scottish first-class cricketer.
Paton was born at Dunfermline in August 1881. A club cricketer for Dunfermline Cricket Club, Paton was invited to play for the Rest of Scotland in 1913 on the back of strong bowling performances at club level.[1] The following year he was selected for the senior Scotland team, playing in a first-class match against Ireland at Dublin.[2] Playing as a bowler, he led the Scottish bowling figures in the Irish second innings with figures of 4 for 48, adding to the wicket of William Meldon that he took in the Irish first innings. Batting at the tail, he was dismissed for 2 runs in the Scottish first innings by Meldon, while in their second innings he was dismissed without scoring in the Scottish first innings by Basil Ward.[3] At club level, Paton was a useful all-rounder who played for Fifeshire after the First World War and captained the side in 1921,[4] but returned to Dumfermline to captain the side for the 1922 season.[5] It was noted that following the war, Paton was employed in a government office at Perth. He died at Dunfermline in August 1935.[6]