William Cooper (c. 1761–1840) was an English teacher, businessman and entrepreneur, and political officeholder in Upper Canada; he developed mills and other industries along the Humber River in present-day Ontario and a wharf in York.
To encourage development, the government provided machinery for his first mill, on condition that he pay for it or replace it after 18 months.
Cooper founded more businesses in the area: a distillery, cooperage, tannery, blacksmith's shop, store, and tavern.
Through his complex of businesses, he owned a total of hundreds of acres on the Humber waterfront, including workers' housing for those who labored in his mills.
Cooper continued his other business at York as forwarder, commission merchant, and wharfinger until 1830, being closely involved with shipping and the port activities.