William James Campbell (December 12, 1850 – March 4, 1896) was an American attorney and politician in Illinois.

later transferred to the University of Pennsylvania, then was accepted at the Union Law School in Chicago, Illinois.

He was named president pro tempore in 1880, the first to hold the office, serving under John Marshall Hamilton.

He returned to the Senate when Hamilton's term expired, continuing to serve as president pro tempore.

[3] Campbell was a trustee of the Armour Institute of Technology and was a member of the Chicago and Union League Clubs.