Robert Saunders Jr. (January 25, 1805 – September 11, 1868 or 1869) was an American politician and school administrator who served as president of the College of William & Mary from 1847 to 1848.

[2]: 148 [1] While the college's president, Thomas Roderick Dew, was away on an extended honeymoon trip to Europe with his new wife Natalia Hay, Saunders was to serve in the role pro tem.

[1][10] Staunch slavery advocate Nathaniel Beverly Tucker of the Law School was spared this fate as his politics secured favor with the Board of Visitors.

[11] After leaving the college, Saunders was elected to the Virginia state senate in 1852, representing Williamsburg for three two-year terms.

[1] Faltering in the political sphere, Saunders travelled alone to seek employment with the Confederate States of America in Richmond, ultimately finding some clerical work.