William Dampier (born August 1651, East Coker, Somerset, England — died March 1715, London)is an English buccaneer, sea captain, author and scientific observer, is the first Englishman to explore or map parts of New Holland (Australia) and New Guinea, and is the first person to circumnavigate the world three times.

After impressing the Admiralty with his book 'New Voyage Round the World', Dampier is given command of a 26-gunner and made valuable discoveries in Western New Holland, but is court-martialed for cruelty.

On a later voyage, he is able to rescue Alexander Selkirk, who was Daniel Defoe's inspiration for Robinson Crusoe.

Others influenced by Dampier include Captain Cook, Lord Nelson and Charles Darwin.