Benjamin Williams Wells (October 15, 1861 – January 18, 1912) was an American government official and political activist who served as commissioner of the Boston Fire Department.

[3] In 1886 he joined E. Williams & Co., a Boston shipping firm involved in trade in South America and Dutch Guiana.

[6] In October 1899, Wells was appointed acting water commissioner after John R. Murphy resigned to enter that year's mayoral election.

In January 1908, the finance committee of the board of alderman issued a report which contended that during the tenures of Daniel A. Whelton and John F. Fitzgerald, political influence affected appointments to the department and that the "malign influence of politics" was interfering with its efficiency.

[10] On January 30, Hibbard wrote to Wells that he was "strongly of the opinion that the organization of the fire department at the present time is sadly lacking in discipline" and requested his resignation.

[2] His funeral was held on January 20 at the Arlington Street Church with a number of political figures and members of the fire department in attendance.