William Shirley

William Shirley (* 1693 in Preston, Sussex, † March 24, 1771 in Roxbury, Massachusetts ) was a British colonial governor in North America.

He studied law, and came to America in 1731, settled in Boston, Massachusetts, settled and worked there as a lawyer. From 1741 to 1745 he was royal governor of Massachusetts in 1745 and planned the successful expedition that led to the Cape Breton Island to the first capture of the French fortress of Louisbourg.

From 1745 to 1753 he lived in England, and returned back to Massachusetts as governor. He graduated in 1754 a treaty with the Indians from the East and explored the Kennebec River, on whose banks he built several forts. At the outbreak of the French war in 1755 he was commander of British troops in North America. He planned the campaign of General John Prideaux against Fort Niagara and accompanied him to Oswego. In 1756 he was replaced in his military command and in his governorship.

He was later appointed Governor of the Bahamas, an office which he resigned in 1770. He then returned to Massachusetts, where he spent the rest of his life in retirement.

He wrote: " Electra ", a tragedy; " Bertha ," a masque; " The Siege of Louisburg " ( The Siege of Louisburg 1745); Edward the Black Prince (1750 ); " Conduct of gene. Briefly Stated William Shirley " ( 1758 ) and more.