William L. Saunders | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 11th Secretary of State of North Carolina | |
| In office 1879–1891 | |
| Governor | Thomas Jordan Jarvis Alfred Moore Scales |
| Preceded by | Joseph A. Engelhard |
| Succeeded by | Octavius Coke |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 30, 1835 Raleigh, North Carolina |
| Died | April 2, 1891 (aged 55) Raleigh, North Carolina |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Florida Cotten (m. 1864) |
| Parent(s) | Joseph Hubbard Saunders Laura J. Baker Saunders |
| Alma mater | University of North Carolina |
| Profession | Lawyer, Politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Branch/service |  Confederate States Army |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Commands | 46th North Carolina Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
William Laurence Saunders (July 30, 1835 – April 2, 1891) was an American attorney, newspaper editor, historian, Ku Klux Klan chief organizer in North Carolina, and the North Carolina Secretary of State from 1879 until his death in 1891.