William Archer Porter (c. 1825 - d. 16 July 1890) was a British lawyer and educationist who served as the Principal of Government Arts College, Kumbakonam and tutor and secretary to the Maharaja of Mysore.
Porter was born in Drumlee, Castlewellan, Co. Down, Ireland in the year 1825, the eldest son of Rev.
Porter served as an equity draftsman and conveyancer from 1859 to 1863, when he moved to India to take over as headmaster of the Provincial School, Kumbakonam.
Porter served as the headmaster of the Provincial School from 1863 to 1873 and was instrumental in its elevation to graduate college.
In 1878, Porter was appointed tutor to Chamarajendra Wadiyar X, the prince of the Kingdom of Mysore and served from 1878 to 1882.