Orson F. Whitney (1855-1931) was a writer, editor, and ecclesiastical leader in Utah.

Whitney was born in Salt Lake City, Utah to Horace K. Whitney and Helen Mar Kimball. Whitney, an avid writer, academic, and historian, started his career at a young age by working for Deseret News. Whitney served a Latter-day Saint mission from 1881 to 1883 in England. A little over ten years later, from 1896 to 1897, he worked as the editor of the Millennial Star, the newspaper put out from the English mission field. Following his mission in 1883, Whitney married and achieved publication with several works, including a biography written about Heber C. Kimball, Whitney's maternal grandfather. Throughout his life, Whitney stayed involved in local politics and taught at Brigham Young College. In 1899, Whitney became the Assistant Church Historian for the Latter-day Saint Church. In 1906, Whitney was called to be a member of the quorum of the twelve apostles. He was ordained April 6, 1906 with George F. Richards and future Latter-day Saint president David O. McKay. Whitney served as an apostle until his death in 1931. He died due to health complications while inflicted with influenza. He was a month short of seventy-six years old at the time of his death.