Samuel Spencer (December 8, 1910 – March 23, 1997) was a politician from Washington, D.C., who served as the 20th president of the Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia, from 1953 to 1956.

He was charged with, and credited with, carrying out President Eisenhower's plan to eliminate "every vestige" of racial segregation in the Nation's Capitol.

In 1940, during the build-up to World War II, joined the Navy Reserve as an Ensign and was deployed to Panama in early 1941.

On May 9, 1945, off the coast of Okinawa, the Oberender was hit by a kamikaze plane, killing 10 sailors and injuring 30 and the ship was badly damaged.

In 1947 he testified in favor of the Home Rule plan proposed by Rep. James C. Auchincloss and he also supported efforts to give the District representation at the federal level.

They issued an order directing agencies under its authority to no longer consider race, creed or color in hiring decisions and the board also established a policy of nondiscrimination in use of city facilities.

Spencer died on March 23, 1997, of cardiac arrest at his home in Chevy Chase and was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery.