Robert Wilson Patterson (1850–1910) was an American newspaper editor and publisher. He was born in Chicago, attended Lake Forest Academy in Lake Forest, Illinois, and graduated from Williams College in 1871, and then began the study of law. After the great fire in Chicago he became a reporter on the "Times", later joined the staff of the "Interior", and in 1873 became connected with the Chicago "Tribune", of which he was successively assistant night editor, Washington correspondent, editorial writer, managing editor, and editor in chief. He was also president of the Chicago Tribune Company.