William Windham

Windham, William (1750–1810). Statesman. Educated at Eton and University College, Oxford, Windham was a close friend of Edmund Burke and Dr Johnson, being a pall-bearer at the latter's funeral. In 1784 he became MP for Norwich and was one of the members charged with the impeachment of Warren Hastings. He was secretary for war in the Pitt administration of 1794 to 1801 with a seat in the cabinet. Windham opposed the peace of 1802, an unpopular view at the time which cost him his Norwich seat. He assisted Cobbett in founding the Political Register and returned to government at the War and Colonial Office in Grenville's ‘Ministry of All the Talents’ (1806–7). He introduced a plan for improving the condition of the military forces by increasing pay and reducing terms of service. Windham died of a tumour in 1810. His diary was published in 1866.

Richard A. Smith

William Windham , 1750-1810, British politician. Elected to Parliament in 1784, he was a friend of Edmund Burke, whom he assisted in the impeachment of Warren Hastings. He served (1794-1801) as secretary for war under William Pitt, resigning with Pitt when the king prevented Catholic Emancipation. He was secretary of state for war and colonies (1806-7) in the ministry of Lord Grenville. His political career was not outstanding, but his influence on leading politicians was great, and his written record is an important source for the period.

Bibliography: See his diary for the years 1784-1810 (ed. by C. A. Baring, 1866); The Windham Papers (1913).

Windham, William (1750–1810). Statesman. Educated at Eton and University College, Oxford, Windham was a close friend of Edmund Burke and Dr Johnson, being a pall‐bearer at the latter's funeral. In 1784 he became MP for Norwich and was one of the members charged with the impeachment of Warren Hastings. He was secretary for war in the Pitt administration of 1794 to 1801 with a seat in the cabinet. Windham opposed the peace of 1802, an unpopular view at the time which cost him his Norwich seat. He returned to government at the War and Colonial Office in Grenville's ‘Ministry of All the Talents’ (1806–7). Windham died of a tumour in 1810. His diary was published in 1866.