William McLaurin was a Republican member of the North Carolina House of Representatives in the Reconstruction Era.[1] He represented New Hanover County from 1872 to 1874.[1] During the American Civil War, he met William B. Gould in New York City.[2] McLaurin served in the Union Navy during the Civil War.[1][3]
He was African American. He served with fellow African Americans Henry Brewington and Alfred Lloyd who also represented New Hanover County in the North Carolina House.[4]