Maurice Lennon "Dick" Burrus (born January 29, 1898 in Hatteras, North Carolina died February 2, 1972, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina) was a professional baseball player.

Burrus was born in North Carolina's Outer Banks, where his family had lived for generations, to sea captain Dozier Burrus and Achsah Williams. When he was eleven, the family moved to Elizabeth City so that he could further his education. It was at Elizabeth City High School that Burrus was first introduced to baseball, playing pitcher and catcher.

and catcher for the school team. On the recommendation of one of his teachers, Burrus finished his high school education at Oak Ridge Academy, where he was eventually named to the school's All-Time Baseball Hall of Fame.

Upon his graduation from the Academy, Burrus studied textile engineering at North Carolina State College. His education was partially funded by athletic scholarships, with the remainder paid from the proceeds of his summer and weekend jobs in construction and at the local iron works and dry docks. Burrus interrupted his education for two years to join the United States Army, serving at Camp Gordon in Georgia. He returned to NC State to letter in three sports.

In 1919, Burrus left college to begin his professional baseball career. He joined the minor league South Atlantic League as a first baseman for the Columbia Comers, and was paid $3000. Two months later, he was signed by Connie Mack to play for the Philadelphia Athletics. Because of inconsistent fielding, Burrus was sent to Columbus in the American Association, before being sold to Atlanta, where he helped win the Southern Association pennant.

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