Robert L. Williams | |
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| Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit | |
| In office March 31, 1939 – April 10, 1948 | |
| Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit | |
| In office April 21, 1937 – March 31, 1939 | |
| Appointed by | Franklin D. Roosevelt |
| Preceded by | George Thomas McDermott |
| Succeeded by | Walter A. Huxman |
| Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma | |
| In office January 7, 1919 – April 21, 1937 | |
| Appointed by | Woodrow Wilson |
| Preceded by | Ralph E. Campbell |
| Succeeded by | Eugene Rice |
| 3rd Governor of Oklahoma | |
| In office January 11, 1915 – January 13, 1919 | |
| Lieutenant | Martin E. Trapp |
| Preceded by | Lee Cruce |
| Succeeded by | James B. A. Robertson |
| 1st Chief Justice of Oklahoma | |
| In office 1907–1909 | |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Matthew John Kane |
| Member of the Oklahoma Supreme Court | |
| In office 1907–1914 | |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Stillwell H. Russell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Robert Lee Williams December 20, 1868 Brundidge, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | April 10, 1948 (aged 79) Durant, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Resting place | City Cemetery |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Southern University (BA, MA) read law |
Robert Lee Williams (December 20, 1868 – April 10, 1948) was an American lawyer, judge, and the third governor of Oklahoma. Williams played a role in the drafting of the Oklahoma Constitution and served as the first Oklahoma Supreme Court chief justice. He also served as a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit and as a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. As Governor, Williams oversaw the state's response to the United States Supreme Court's ruling against Jim Crow laws and its involvement in World War I. He instituted the Oklahoma State Board of Affairs, which provided central purchasing services to state agencies. Due to his direct administrative role and concentration of power, Williams counteracted the loss of executive power under Governor Lee Cruce.