William Henry Steeves (May 20, 1814 – December 9, 1873) was a merchant, lumberman, politician and Father of Canadian Confederation.

[3] His great-grandparents, Heinrich and Regina Stief, were German immigrants who settled in the area after initially migrating to Pennsylvania;[4] they founded the surname "Steeves" in North America.

After moving to Saint John, Steeves furthered the business and established himself as a prominent figure in the city's financial community.

Given his location in Saint John, he may have been sought the following year by Sir Edmund Walker Head, the Lieutenant Governor, to serve as Surveyor General, which was ultimately taken by Robert Duncan Wilmot after Steeves chose not to take the position.

[11] He was buried at Fernhill Cemetery; his grave bears a plaque,[12] given his designation as a National Historic Person.