William Henry Elder (March 22, 1819 – October 31, 1904) was an American Catholic prelate who served as Bishop of Natchez from 1857 to 1880 and as Archbishop of Cincinnati from 1883 until his death.

Elder was appointed on January 9, 1857, by Pope Pius IX to succeed James Oliver Van de Velde as bishop of the Diocese of Natchez.

[1] On the eve of the American Civil War, Elder wrote to his father: It is hard to tell what is to be the fate of the country.

He sent priests to serve as chaplains in the Confederate States Army and Sisters of Mercy to nurse the sick and wounded, and he gave his blessing to a Natchez volunteer company.

[3] During the Union occupation of Natchez, Elder caused some controversy for refusing to obey an order to have prayers for the President of the United States recited publicly in the churches of his diocese.

St. Mary's, issued an order requiring the clergy to include prayers for the President of the United States in their services, as a "public recognition of allegiance under which they live, and to which they are indebted for protection..."[4] Elder responded with a lengthy letter of protest in which he explained that his declining to submit had no political significance, but the "Liberty of the Church to discharge her divine functions, without interference form other persons.

"[4] Brigadier General James Tuttle issued an order for enforcement, which was stayed at Elder's request, pending input from the War Department.

Elder subsequently wrote thanking Stanton for the protection extended to religious freedom, and asking that the ruling be made known to other commanders.

[2] At the time he arrived in Natchez the diocese had eleven missions (churches), nine priests and 10,000 Catholics.

When he left, there were forty-one churches, 25 priests, six religious houses for men, five convents, thirteen parish schools and 12,500 Catholics.