Hugh McLaughlin (April 2, 1827 – December 7, 1904) was an American politician and for many years the "boss" of the Democratic Party in Brooklyn.

That position put a great deal of patronage at his disposal which he used to build support for the Democratic Party.

As such, he dominated local politics for many years, despite the efforts of reform-oriented mayors like Frederick A. Schroeder and Seth Low to roll back the influence of the Brooklyn ring.

McLaughlin was thus able to play an important role in the creation of Prospect Park and the building of Brooklyn Bridge.

His funeral was held on December 10 and he was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.