William H. English | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana's 2nd district | |
| In office March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1861 | |
| Preceded by | Cyrus L. Dunham |
| Succeeded by | James A. Cravens |
| Speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives | |
| In office March 8, 1852 – June 21, 1852 | |
| Preceded by | John Wesley Davis |
| Succeeded by | Oliver Brooks Torbet |
| Member of the Indiana House of Representatives | |
| In office 1851–1853 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Hayden English August 27, 1822 Lexington, Indiana, U.S. |
| Died | February 7, 1896 (aged 73) Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |
| Resting place | Crown Hill Cemetery |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Emma Jackson |
| Children | 2, including William |
| Education | Hanover College (no degree) |
William Hayden English (August 27, 1822 – February 7, 1896) was an American politician. He served as a U.S. Representative from Indiana from 1853 to 1861 and was the Democratic Party's nominee for Vice President of the United States in 1880.
English retired from the House in 1861, but remained involved in party affairs. In the American Civil War he was a War Democrat, supporting the Union war effort. As well as pursuing a political career, he was an author and businessman. He owned an opera house, was president of a bank, and developed many residential properties. English was successful in business, and became one of the wealthiest men in Indiana. After nearly two decades in the private sector, English returned to political life as the Democratic nominee for vice president in 1880. English and his presidential running mate, Winfield Scott Hancock, lost narrowly to their Republican opponents, James A. Garfield and Chester A. Arthur.