Sir Robert Thorburn (March 28, 1836 – April 12, 1906) was a Newfoundland merchant and politician who served as the colony's Premier from 1885 to 1889. Born in Scotland, Thorburn emigrated to Newfoundland in 1852 when he was sixteen. From 1870 to 1885 and again from 1893 to 1906 he was a member of the colony's appointed Legislative Council, the Upper House of Newfoundland's parliament. Thorburn created the New Party to represent the interest of St. John's businessmen.