Ladislav Zápotocký (also known under the pseudonyms Budečský and Mikuláš Haštalský; 12 January 1852 – 16 December 1916) was a Czech politician, journalist, translator and labor leader, a pioneer of socialism and Marxism in Czechoslovakia and co-founder of the Czech Social Democratic Party.

After graduating from primary school, he worked as a tailor and became involved in the workers' movement at the age of twenty-one.

On 28 September 1876, Zápotocký participated in the founding of the Czech provincial organization of the Social Democratic Party of Austria and was elected to its leadership.

In 1877, he founded the "Workers' Educational Discussion Association" which was dissolved as a result of Zápotocký's speeches promoting atheism.

After returning to Prague, Zápotocký was employed in the trade union periodical Railway Establishment.