Thomas Gibbons was an American businessman and steamboat operator in the early 19th century. He is best known for his role in a landmark Supreme Court case, Gibbons v. Ogden, which took place in 1824. This case addressed the issue of interstate commerce and helped define the scope of federal power over state laws. Gibbons was involved in the transportation industry, particularly in operating steamboats on the Hudson River. His competition with Aaron Ogden, who held a state-granted monopoly, led to the legal battle that ultimately reinforced the federal government's authority to regulate interstate trade.