William Davis Taylor (April 2, 1908 – February 19, 2002) was an American newspaper executive who was publisher of The Boston Globe from 1955 to 1977.

[3] Taylor was the first publisher of the Globe to appoint an editor in 75 years, naming Laurence L. Winship to the role in 1955.

[4][5]: 447  During Taylor's time as publisher, the Globe made its first political endorsement, supporting Kevin White in the 1967 Boston mayoral election.

[6] Taylor was born in Boston, was educated at Noble and Greenough School in Dedham, Massachusetts,[7] and was a 1931 graduate of Harvard University.

[8] Upon his retirement at the end of 1977, he was succeeded as publisher by his son William O. Taylor II.