William Prescott (1726-1795) was an American Colonel in the Revolutionary War who commanded the rebel forces in the Battle of Bunker Hill. He was born at Groton, Massachusetts on February 20, 1726 to Benjamin Prescott (1696-1738) and Abigail Oliver Prescott (1697-1765). He married Abigail Hale (1733-1821) on April 13, 1758, and they had one son, also named William in 1762.

Besides Bunker Hill, Prescott had served in the French and Indian War and was active in the battles for New York City in 1776 and the Saratoga Campaign of 1777.

His grandson, William H. Prescott was a noted historian and author.