William Stern may refer to:
- William Stern (psychologist) (1871–1938), German psychologist and philosopher
- William Stern (businessman) (born 1935), owner of the British Stern Group of companies
- William Joseph Stern (1891–1965), physicist and jet engine developer
- William M. Stern, rabbi at Temple Sinai, Oakland, California
- The father of Baby M, subject of a child surrogacy dispute in the United States
- Bill Stern (1907–1971), U.S. actor and sportscaster
Famous quotes containing the words william and/or stern:
“Now William pulled the lever down,
And click-clack went the printing-press.
William was the only printer in town
Who had peeped while the angels undress.”
—Allen Tate (1899–1979)
“The triumphs of peace have been in some proximity to war. Whilst the hand was still familiar with the sword-hilt, whilst the habits of the camp were still visible in the port and complexion of the gentleman, his intellectual power culminated; the compression and tension of these stern conditions is a training for the finest and softest arts, and can rarely be compensated in tranquil times, except by some analogous vigor drawn from occupations as hardy as war.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)