Whitmell Pugh Tunstall (April 15, 1810 – February 19, 1854) was a lawyer and state legislator in Chatham, Virginia.

He was the long-time advocate most responsible for the creation of the Richmond and Danville Railroad which was completed in 1856.

On April 13, 1838, he introduced a bill to charter the Richmond and Danville Railroad (R&D) with an impassioned speech.

Records reveal Tunstall's dedication to the cause in this statement made to a friend, "Tis the proudest day of my life, and I think I may now say that I have not lived in vain."

Whitmell Pugh Tunstall died on February 19, 1854, of typhoid fever, 2 years before the railroad he had long sought was completed.