William McLaren Bristol

William McLaren Bristol (1860–1935) was one of the two co-founders (along with John Ripley Myers) of Bristol-Myers Squibb. Myers and Bristol founded the company that would evolve into an international pharmaceutical giant in Bristol's hometown of Clinton, New York in 1887. Bristol graduated from Hamilton College in 1887.

Shortly after graduating from college, Bristol had partnered with his college contemporary, John Ripley Myers, and purchased a pharmaceutical company that was located in upstate New York. The company found its first success with the embracing of a mineral salt laxative, Sal Hepatica, that helped with dyspepsia. This medicinal product proved immensely profitable for the young entrepreneurs. In 1899, John Ripley Myers died, it was Bristol who would continue with the partnership posthumously; Bristol led the company to an international pharmaceutical conglomerate.