William Ballard Preston

William Preston
Confederate States Senator from Virginia
In office February 18, 1862 – November 16, 1862
Preceded by	Constituency established
Succeeded by	Allen T. Caperton
19th United States Secretary of the Navy
In office March 8, 1849 – July 22, 1850
President	Zachary Taylor Millard Fillmore
Preceded by	John Y. Mason
Succeeded by	William A. Graham
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 12th district
In office March 4, 1847 – March 3, 1849
Preceded by	Augustus A. Chapman
Succeeded by	Henry A. Edmundson
Personal details
Born	William Ballard Preston (1805-11-25)November 25, 1805 Blacksburg, Virginia, U.S.
Died	November 16, 1862(1862-11-16) (aged 56) Blacksburg, Virginia, U.S.
Political party	Whig
Spouse	Lucy Redd
Education	Hampden-Sydney College University of Virginia, Charlottesville (LLB)

William Ballard Preston (November 25, 1805 – November 16, 1862) was an American politician who served as a Confederate States Senator from Virginia from February 18, 1862, until his death in November. He previously served as the 19th United States Secretary of the Navy from 1849 to 1850. He is also the cousin of William Campbell Preston and William Preston.