Walter Jon Williams (born October 28, 1953)[1] is an American writer, primarily of science fiction.

Previously he wrote nautical adventure fiction under the name Jon Williams, in particular, Privateers and Gentlemen (1981–1984), a series of historical novels set during the Age of Sail.

[2] Writing as Jon Williams, he designed the wargame Tradition of Victory and role-playing game Promotions and Prizes, which were republished by Fantasy Games Unlimited as Heart of Oak (1982) and Privateers and Gentlemen (1983).

[3]: 209 Williams was born in Duluth, Minnesota and graduated from the University of New Mexico, where he received his BA degree in 1975.

In 2017, Williams was the Guest of Honor at the 75th World Science Fiction Convention, held in Helsinki.