William Windham, an English statesman, born in London, May 3,1750, died there, June 3,1810. He was educated at Eton, Glasgow, and Oxford, and began his political career by a speech at a meeting in Norwich in 1778, in which he denounced the war against the American colonies. He was a member of Dr. Johnson's literary club and a friend of Burke and Fox, and was returned to parliament for Norwich in the general election for 1784. In 1787 he was appointed one of the managers of the impeachment of Warren Hastings. He warmly advocated war with France, and was secretary at war in Pitt's cabinet from 1794 to 1801. In 1802 he vehemently denounced the peace of Amiens. He entered the Grenville administration in 1806 as secretary for the war and 'colonial departments, retired from office with his colleagues in 1807, and thenceforth remained in opposition. His eloquence was of a very high order, and Macaulay characterized him as "the finest gentleman of the age." His speeches have been published (3 vols., London, 1812), with a life prefixed.

His diary was edited by Mrs. H. Baring in 1866.