William W. Rice

For other persons named William Rice, see William Rice (disambiguation).

William Whitney Rice (March 7, 1826 - March 1, 1896) was a U.S. Representative from Massachusetts.

Born in Deerfield, Massachusetts, Rice attended Gorham Academy, Maine, and was graduated from Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine, in 1846.

He was the preceptor of Leicester Academy, Massachusetts from 1847 to 1851.
He studied law in Worcester.
He was admitted to the bar in 1854 and commenced practice in that city.
He was appointed judge of insolvency for Worcester County in 1858.
He served as mayor of the city of Worcester in 1860.
He served as district attorney for the middle district of Massachusetts 1869-1874.
He served as member of the State house of representatives in 1875.

Rice was elected as a Republican to the Forty-fifth and to the four succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1877-March 3, 1887).

He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1886 to the Fiftieth Congress.
He resumed the practice of law in Worcester, Massachusetts, and died there March 1, 1896.
He was interred in the Rural Cemetery.