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There are several notable individuals named William Cooper across different contexts, so I’ll provide an overview of the most prominent ones based on available information, and you can clarify if you had a specific one in mind.
One well-known William Cooper is Milton William "Bill" Cooper (May 6, 1943 – November 5, 2001), an American conspiracy theorist, radio broadcaster, and author. He gained notoriety for his 1991 book Behold a Pale Horse, which delves into a wide range of conspiracies, including alleged government cover-ups of extraterrestrial activities, secret societies, and plans for a New World Order. Cooper claimed to have served in the U.S. Navy, including a stint in Naval Intelligence, and asserted that during his service he accessed classified documents revealing government dealings with aliens—claims that have been met with skepticism due to discrepancies in his reported military role (records show him as a Petty Officer Second Class, unlikely to have high-level clearance). He hosted a radio show called The Hour of the Time, where he discussed his theories, including a notable prediction in June 2001 that a major attack would occur in the U.S. and be blamed on Osama bin Laden, which some link to 9/11. Cooper was killed in 2001 in Arizona during a shootout with sheriff’s deputies attempting to arrest him on charges unrelated to his theories, an event that has fueled speculation among his followers about government silencing.
Another significant figure is William Cooper (circa 1861 – March 29, 1941), an Australian Aboriginal activist and leader of the Yorta Yorta people. Born in Victoria, Australia, he founded the Australian Aborigines’ League in 1936 to advocate for Indigenous rights, including representation in parliament, land rights, and voting rights. He organized the 1938 Day of Mourning to protest the effects of European colonization, a precursor to modern NAIDOC Week celebrations. Cooper also led a notable 1938 march to the German consulate in Melbourne to protest Nazi persecution of Jews, one of the earliest global demonstrations against the Holocaust. His activism laid groundwork for later Indigenous rights movements in Australia.
Other historical figures include William Cooper (1754–1809), an American merchant and founder of Cooperstown, New York, and father of novelist James Fenimore Cooper, or William Cooper (1822–1868), an English co-operator instrumental in the Rochdale Pioneers, a foundational cooperative movement. There are also lesser-known individuals like William Cooper, an English businessman in Upper Canada, or various modern professionals with the name.
Since your question didn’t specify a context, Milton William Cooper, the conspiracy theorist, is often the most referenced in contemporary discussions, especially online, due to his polarizing legacy. If you meant a different William Cooper, please let me know!