William Ponsonby, 2nd Earl of Bessborough

The Earl of Bessborough
William Ponsonby by Sir Joshua Reynolds
Born	1704
Died	11 March 1793(1793-03-11) (aged 88–89)
Spouse(s)	Caroline Cavendish
Issue	Catherine Beauclerk, Duchess of St Albans Charlotte Fitzwilliam, Countess Fitzwilliam Frederick Ponsonby, 3rd Earl of Bessborough
Father	Brabazon Ponsonby, 1st Earl of Bessborough
Mother	Sarah Margetson

William Ponsonby, 2nd Earl of Bessborough PC PC (Ire) (1704 – 11 March 1793) was a British politician and public servant. He was an Irish and English peer and member of the House of Lords (styled Hon. William Ponsonby from 1723 to 1739 and Viscount Duncannon from 1739 to 1758). He served in both the Irish and the British House of Commons, before entering the House of Lords, and held office as a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty, Lord Commissioner of the Treasury, and as Postmaster General of the United Kingdom. He was also a Privy Counsellor, Chief Secretary for Ireland and Earl of Bessborough.