William Burnett Benton (April 1, 1900 – March 18, 1973) was an American senator from Connecticut (1949–1953) and publisher of the Encyclopædia Britannica (1943–1973).

In 1944, he had entered into unsuccessful negotiations with Walt Disney to make six to twelve educational films annually.

[2] He was appointed Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs and held the position from August 31, 1945 to September 30, 1947, during which time he was active in organizing the United Nations.

Due to Benton's resolution and McCarthy's response, the Senate Rules committee investigated and criticized both of them but punished neither.

[5] For much of his life, from 1943 to his death in 1973, he was chairman of the board and publisher of the Encyclopædia Britannica, was a member of and delegate to numerous United Nations and international conferences and commissions, and trustee of several schools and colleges.