William Higby (August 18, 1813 – November 27, 1887) was a 19th Century American politician, a Republican, a lawyer, a District Attorney, a judge, a newspaper editor, and a United States representative from California, serving three terms from 1863 to 1869.

He spent his boyhood on his father's farm and worked in the lumber and iron business.

[1][2] He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1847 and commenced practice in Elizabethtown, New York.

After unsuccessfully attempting the mining business, he resumed the practice of law and was a district attorney from 1853 to 1859.

Due to his harsh treatment of criminals, he earned the rough nickname, "Bloody Bill".