William Lanson (born c. 1776-1782; died 1851) was a free Black man of New Haven, Connecticut remembered as an engineer and builder, and as a leader of New Haven’s Black community. Lanson built nearly 1500 feet of New Haven’s Long Wharf in 1810 and 1811, bringing it nearly to its longest length, ultimately 3480 feet, the longest in the United States at that time. Lanson also built the New Haven portion of the Farmington Canal, the steamboat wharf, and much of the East Haven bridge. He was elected for the years 1825 to 1830.