Richard William Guenther (November 30, 1845 – April 5, 1913) was a German American immigrant, pharmacist, and Republican politician from Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Later in life, he served as an American consul general in Mexico City, Frankfurt, Germany, and Cape Town, South Africa.

Richard Guenther was born November 30, 1845, in the city of Potsdam, in what was then the Province of Brandenburg, in the Kingdom of Prussia (now Germany).

[1] While studying at the Royal Pharmacy, Guenther planned to join the Prussian Army, but he was badly burned in a lab explosion before his final exams.

[2] Guenther also quickly became involved in the local German American immigrant community and became a member of the Oshkosh Turnverein (Turners).

[5] At the time, both parties tried to build their statewide tickets with at least one representative of Wisconsin's large German immigrant population.

[7] At the 1877 Republican state convention in September, Guenther's name was placed in nomination by James H. Foster in a highly complimentary speech.

[11] During his third year in office, his name began appearing in newspaper editorials as a potential candidate for U.S. House of Representatives in Wisconsin's 6th congressional district.

[13] Almost immediately after declaring his willingness to be a candidate for Congress, Democrats in the state began making an issue of Guenther's citizenship status.

[2] Guenther was a member of the Congregational church, and was active in the Knights of Honor and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows fraternal organizations.