William L. Love

William Lathrop Love (born July 27, 1872) was an American physician and politician from New York.

He graduated A.B. in 1891 and A.M. in 1895 from Philadelphia City College. He studied medicine at the New York Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, and graduated M.D. in 1894. He became an associate editor of the North American Journal of Homeopathy.

Love was a member of the New York State Senate (8th D.) from 1923 to 1932, sitting in the 146th, 147th, 148th, 149th, 150th, 151st, 152nd, 153rd, 154th and 155th New York State Legislatures; and was Chairman of the Committee on Penal Institutions from 1923 to 1924. Throughout his tenure he remained active in the debates on crime and punishment and, for example, introduced legislation allowing children born in penal institutions to remain with their mothers for two years; advocated the segregation of hardened criminals; and endorsed the National Prison Group's proposal to replace jails with industrial farms.

In 1932, Love was the only Democratic state senator who voted for granting additional funds to the Seabury Commission to continue the investigation of corruption in New York City. Love was considered a traitor, and the Democratic boss of Brooklyn John H. McCooey denied Love a re-nomination, nominating Joseph A. Esquirol for the senatorial election instead. Love then ran as an Independent with Republican endorsement, but was defeated by Esquirol in November 1932.

In 1933, he ran in the Democratic primary for Borough President of Brooklyn, but was defeated.