William Knight Potter (December 27, 1844 – August 13, 1914) was a businessman and the 17th Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, 1892-1894.

William was born December 27, 1844, in New York City and spent his early years there.

On November 24, 1891, he defeated incumbent Charles Sydney Smith in a tightly contested four-way race for Mayor of Providence.

[1] Running for re-election in 1892, Potter handily defeated Republican candidate Col. Arthur H.

[2] Potter died on August 13, 1914, at his home in Edgewood, Providence, of paralytic shock.