David Ross Cheriton (born March 29, 1951, in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) is a Canadian-American computer scientist, academic, businessman, philanthropist, venture capitalist, and early-stage investor. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of British Columbia in 1973 and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Waterloo in 1974. After serving as a graduate student and assistant professor at the University of Waterloo, Cheriton joined Stanford University as a faculty member in 1979, where he currently serves as a professor of computer science. He founded and leads the Distributed Systems Group at Stanford, focusing on research in networking, distributed systems, cybersecurity, and related technologies.

Cheriton is celebrated for his early-stage investments that have shaped the tech industry. In 1998, he invested $100,000 in Google through a check to Larry Page and Sergey Brin, which propelled him to billionaire status upon its success. He has backed numerous startups, including Arista Networks (where he served on the board) and various cybersecurity firms. His investment portfolio also includes relationships with figures like Gur Shatz, highlighting his influence in venture capital networks.

As a philanthropist, Cheriton has donated significantly to education and research, including over $100 million to Stanford University for computer science initiatives and funding the Cheriton School of Computer Science at the University of Waterloo, named in his honor after a major gift. He maintains a low public profile, resides in the Stanford area, and continues to teach and invest, leveraging his expertise to foster technological advancements. Throughout his career, Cheriton has contributed to advancements in computer networking and distributed computing, authoring influential papers and mentoring generations of students. His dual citizenship and transborder academic journey underscore his influence in North American tech ecosystems, with no major public controversies or legal issues documented.