William Bell Waddell

William Bell Waddell (September 21, 1828 – June 3, 1897) was an American politician and judge from Pennsylvania. He served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing Chester County from 1865 to 1867. He also served in the Pennsylvania Senate from 1872 to 1873.

Early life William Bell Waddell was born on September 21, 1828, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Mary S. (née Bell) and Robert Waddell. At the age of 5, he moved with his parents to Trenton, New Jersey. He lived there until around 13 and then moved after his mother's death to West Chester, Pennsylvania. He attended the private school of James Crowell in West Chester. He graduated from Princeton College in 1849. After graduating, he went to West Chester, Pennsylvania, and studied law under Joseph Hemphill, father of Joseph Hemphill. He was admitted to the bar on March 2, 1852. He served as major of the 10th regiment of the Pennsylvania Emergency Militia in 1862. Union Army officer Robert Cornwell read law under him in 1865–66.

Waddell was originally a Democrat, but changed to a Republican.