John Lindsley (born c.1889) was a trade unionist and political activist. Lindsley grew up in Sunderland, and joined the Independent Labour Party (ILP) at an early age. He was chosen as secretary of the Sunderland ILP in 1907. He began working for Newcastle upon Tyne Council, and in 1908 formed the first branch of the National Union of Clerks (NUC) in North East England. He soon formed a Northern Council in the union, promoting the creation of other branches in the area.