Sir William Symington McCormick (29 April 1859 – 22 March 1930[1]) was a Scottish scholar and educational administrator.

On his return to Scotland, he worked as assistant lecturer in English literature to John Nichol from 1884.

When the women only Queen Margaret College amalgamated with the University of Glasgow in 1892–93, McCormick became the head of department and lecturer on English language and literature there.

[4] From 1906 until his death, McCormick held a number of government committee positions related to state university funding.

Alongside his many other positions, he served as chairman of the Advisory Council for Scientific and Industrial Research from 1915.