William Windham (of Earsham, senior)

For other people named William Windham, see William Windham (disambiguation).

William Windham (c. 1674 – 2 April 1730) was a British landowner and politician. He was the second son of William Windham, of Felbrigg (died 1689), member of an old Norfolk family.

Entering the army, he rose to the rank of colonel and lost a leg in action at the Battle of Blenheim.

He bought Earsham Hall, which would become the family seat, in 1720. In 1722, he was returned to Parliament for Sudbury; in 1727 he transferred to the representation of Aldeburgh, and retained the seat until his death.

He married Anne Tyrrell (d. 1762), daughter of Sir Charles Tyrrell, 2nd Baronet, by whom he had two children:

• William Windham (c. 1706–1789)
• John Windham, later Windham-Bowyer (d. 15 April 1780)

References

• Leigh Rayment's Peerage Pages
• Robert Beatson, A Chronological Register of Both Houses of Parliament (London: Longman, Hurst, Res & Orme, 1807) [1]

Parliament of Great Britain
Preceded by Sir Hervey Elwes Thomas Western	Member for Sudbury with John Knight 1722–1727	Succeeded by John Knight Carteret Leathes
Preceded by Samuel Lowe Walter Plumer	Member for Aldeburgh with Samuel Lowe 1727–1730	Succeeded by Samuel Lowe Sir John Williams