William Edward McLaren (December 15, 1831 - February 19, 1905) was the Bishop of Chicago (formerly Illinois) in the Episcopal Church from 1875 until his death in 1905.

He commenced studies for the ministry in 1857 at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, aiming to become a missionary in China.

He became engaged in missionary work in Bogotá, Colombia however he returned to the United States two years later due to ill health.

He died in office in New York City on February 19, 1905, and was buried at Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago.

[1] He was the author of several books, including The Practice of the Interior Life and Earnest Contention for the Faith.