Sir William Berkeley (pronounced "bark-lee") (Hanworth Manor, Middlesex 1605–Berkeley House, Mayfair, London 9 July 1677) is a governor of Virginia, appointed by King Charles I, of whom he is a favorite.

He is governor from 1641-1652 and 1660-1677.

As proprietor of Green Spring Plantation in James City County, he experiments with activities such as growing silkworms as part of his efforts to expand the tobacco-based economy of the colony of Virginia.

Berkeley enacts friendly policies toward the Native Americans that lead to the revolt by some of the planters in 1676 which becomes known as Bacon's Rebellion.

In the aftermath, King Charles II is angered by the retribution exacted against the rebels by Governor Berkeley and recalls him to England.

Soldiering in the First and Second Bishops' Wars (1639-1640) gains Berkeley a knighthood.