William T. Francis

William T. Francis (March 26, 1870 – July 15, 1929) was an American lawyer, politician, and diplomat from Minnesota. In Liberia, Francis conducted a nine-month inquiry into allegations of government involvement in slavery and forced labor. moving to St. Paul, Minnesota in 1887, without having recognized scholastic qualifications. He does not appear, however, to have won office.

In 1919, Francis gave a speech on Reconstruction and race relations, encouraging the audience to, despite the unfairness, "make up your mind to improve your condition and do it". He died in post in Liberia two years later. They are reported to have had a particularly happy marriage, with 25th anniversary celebrations reported in the news.