William Jonathan Northen (July 9, 1835 – March 25, 1913), was the 54th Governor of Georgia from 1890 to 1894, as well as a leading Baptist minister.

[1] His political rhetoric was based on his religious outlook, and often focused on racial issues at a time when lynching was increasing.

Northen set his sights on the Georgia House of Representatives, where he earned the trust of fellow farmers in the same situation as he.

[7] "I regret that the necessity exists for recommending the passage of more stringent laws for the protection of human life," he told state legislators in October 1892.

[9] Despite opposition from Thomas E. Watson, who supported the Populist Party's candidate, Northen won a second term as governor in 1892.