William Poole (1821–1855), also known as "Bill the Butcher," was a prominent figure in New York City's mid-19th-century gang scene. A butcher by trade, Poole became the leader of the Bowery Boys, a nativist gang that opposed Irish Catholic immigrants. Poole was known for his strong anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic views, aligning himself with the Know-Nothing movement, a political group that sought to limit the influence of immigrants in America.

In "Gangs of New York" (2002), William Poole is loosely depicted through the character Bill "The Butcher" Cutting, played by Daniel Day-Lewis. Although the film takes liberties with historical accuracy, Bill Cutting is portrayed as a ruthless and charismatic gang leader with deep-seated nativist beliefs, mirroring Poole's real-life persona. Cutting is shown as a powerful and influential figure in the violent and chaotic world of 19th-century New York, embodying the tensions between native-born Americans and immigrants.

While the film's portrayal is fictionalized, it captures the essence of Poole's influence and the brutal atmosphere of the era.

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