Edward Ellerker Williams

Edward Ellerker Williams ( born April 22, 1793 in India, † July 8th, 1822 in the sea near Pisa) was a British colonial officer, diarist and friend of Percy Bysshe Shelley.

Edward Williams was the son of army officer in the East India Company John Williams. Edward Williams was sent to England to attend Eton College. At 14 he joined the Royal Navy. In 1811 he joined the 8th Light Dragoons regiment of the East India Company. In 1818 he retired with half-pay back to private life.

About his regimental comrades Thomas Medwin, a cousin of the poet Shelley, he got to know this. 1819-20 lived Medwin, Williams and his partner Jane together in Geneva, 1821 in Pisa, where they met Lord Byron.

On July 8, 1822 died Shelley, Williams, a friend named Daniel Roberts and a young boatman from Cornwall, as Shelley's boat capsized in a storm and sank.

Williams was an avid diarist and talented illustrator. His notes are for Shelley research of great value.