William Brassey Hole (7 Nov 1846 - 22 Oct 1917) was an English artist, illustrator, etcher and engraver, known for his industrial, historical and biblical scenes.

Hole was born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, the son of a doctor, Richard Hole and his wife Ann, The family relocated to Edinburgh, Scotland, shortly afterwards. He was educated at Edinburgh University, then served an apprenticeship as a civil engineer. In his early twenties he left home to travel abroad and during this time was persuaded to pursue an artistic career.

On returning to Edinburgh, Hole enrolled as a student at the Royal Scottish Academy, first exhibiting there in 1873. He became a full member of the Academy (RSA) and of the Royal Scottish Watercolour Society (RSW). He was also eventually accepted into the Royal Society of Painters and Etchers (RE).

Hole went on to specialise in painting industrial and historical material, and is regarded as an early member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. Although an Englishman by birth, he devoted much of his energies to Scottish national subjects and purposes. Principal paintings include "End of the '45" (1879), "A Straggler of the Chevalier's Army", "Culloden", "Prince Charlie's Parliament" (1882), "If thou hadst known" (1885) and "The Canterbury Pilgrims" (1889). Other paintings included "Medea in the Island of Circe", several based on Arthurian legend, and several depicting the life of fishermen on the west coast of Scotland, exhibited in 1883-84. Of the latter, "The Night's Catch" and "The fill of the two Boats" were praised by critics.

Hole's etchings were also highly regarded, one critic describing them as "perhaps the most wonderful translations of colour and handling, of design and conception and spirit, into another artistic medium ever made, and entitle their author to rank with creative artists of the highest class".

Around 1900, he travelled to Palestine in order to study the background for biblical painting. There he began working on the 80 watercolours that would eventually appear as illustrations in his book "The Life of Jesus of Nazareth." In April to May of 1906 these pictures were shown at an exhibition at the Fine Art Society in London. He also painted scenes from the Old Testament.

In 1889 Hole painted a Processional Frieze, for the opening of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, over the grand staircase, showing over 150 figures or "heroes" from Scotland’s past. A critic described this work as "one of the most notable essays in mural decoration ever accomplished in this country". He also provided historical paintings for Edinburgh City Chambers and ecclesiatical decorations for other buildings.

Hole drew the black and white illustrations for several books including works by R L Stevenson, J M Barrie, and Robert Burns.

Hole died in Edinburgh in 1917.