Thurlow Weed Lieurance (March 21, 1878 – October 9, 1963) was an American composer recognized primarily for his song "By the Waters of Minnetonka." Born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, his family moved to Kansas during his early years. Although his father encouraged him to pursue a career in pharmacy, Lieurance was drawn to music. He enlisted as a musician during the Spanish–American War and later studied at the College of Music of Cincinnati until his funds were depleted. He continued his studies with Herman Bellstedt, a cornetist under John Philip Sousa, focusing on theory, orchestration, harmony, and arranging.

Lieurance's career took a significant turn when he joined the Chautauqua Society around 1905, teaching music to American Indians and developing an interest in Indian culture. This led him to transcribe Native American songs and learn to craft traditional flutes. Despite being left disabled by polio, he remained active and mobile.

In 1909, Lieurance acquired a portable cylinder recording device and recorded Native American performers, including Sitting Eagle, from whom he derived the melody for "By the Waters of Minnetonka." The song, published in 1913, became an instant success. Lieurance is associated with the Indianist movement in American music, alongside contemporaries like Charles Wakefield Cadman and Arthur Nevin.