William Russell (20 October 1842 – 28 June 1912) was a Scottish-born Australian politician.

In 1886, he migrated to South Australia, spending three years working on a farm at Alma Plains and three years as a selector at Gulnare Plains before establishing a larger property near Caltowie.

[2][3] He was a member of the South Australian Farmers Union for many years and served a term as vice-president.

[1][9] The Observer wrote that "Russell was not a cultured speaker, but his addresses on the hustings and in Parliament were forceful, and characterized by a rugged native eloquence.

[2] His death necessitated an appointment to replace him in the Senate; the South Australian Parliament, controlled by the Liberal Union, successfully installed Liberal John Shannon, the first instance when a Senator of a different party was appointed.