Henry Durant (June 18, 1802 in Acton, Massachusetts – January 22, 1875 in Oakland, California) was an American minister and educator.

In 1833 he was ordained pastor of the Congregational church of Byfield, Massachusetts.

In 1853, Durant came to California and founded the Contra Costa Academy, as a private school for boys.

Durant was elected the first president of the University of California on August 16, 1870, and resigned only two years later in order to relinquish the position to a younger man (Daniel Coit Gilman).

Old age did not keep Durant from being elected the 16th mayor of Oakland, although he only served for three years before dying in office, on January 22, 1875.