William Maclay (Pennsylvania politician, born 1765)

William Maclay (1765-1804) was an American politician who served as a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1791 to 1795 and again from 1799 to 1803. He was born in 1765, a different individual from his more famous relative, also named William Maclay (1737-1804), who served as one of Pennsylvania's first United States Senators. To distinguish the two, this William Maclay is often referred to as William Maclay, Jr. or William Maclay (born 1765).

He was a prominent figure in Pennsylvania state politics, known for his advocacy of Jeffersonian Republican principles. His tenure in the Pennsylvania Senate was marked by debates surrounding issues such as banking regulations, land policies, and the balance of power between the state and federal governments. He generally favored policies that supported the interests of farmers and small landowners and often opposed measures perceived to benefit wealthy elites.

Unlike his namesake, William Maclay (1765-1804) did not leave behind a widely known diary or extensive personal writings that offer detailed insights into his political views and activities. Information about his life and career is primarily derived from legislative records, newspaper articles from the period, and secondary historical sources. He died in 1804.