Samuel Cole Williams (January 15, 1864 – December 14, 1947) was an American jurist, historian, educator, and businessman.
At the urging of family friend Horace Lurton, later a U. S. Supreme Court Justice, Williams pursued law training.
His personal library was fashioned after the design of Sir Walter Scott's study at Abbotsford House.
In that position he founded publications and arranged the 1944 purchase of a Johnson City farm, which was designated as the Tipton-Haynes Historic Site.
He also provided the land and financing for construction of the public library in Johnson City, dedicated and named in memory of his late son, Mayne Williams.
Judge Williams was an avid scholar and collector of Tennessee history; he donated many of his items to libraries and museums.