John McAuley Palmer (1817 – 1900) was a Union Major General during the American Civil War. Palmer commanded the 14th Corps of the Army of the Cumberland during the Battle of Chattanooga III (November 23 - November 25, 1863.

He was elected to the position of Governor of Illinois as a candidate of the Republican Party. He succeeded fellow Republican Richard James Oglesby in 1869. He was succeeded in turn by Richard James Oglesby in 1873.

Palmer was the Presidential candidate for the United States National Democratic Party in the 1896 elections. His party being a breakaway group of Democrats who opposed William Jennings Bryan.

Election was won by Republican William McKinley. Palmer was also surpassed by one other unsuccesful candidate:William Jennings Bryan.