William Shirley | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 8th and 9th Governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay | |
| In office 14 August 1741 – 11 September 1749 | |
| Preceded by | Jonathan Belcher |
| Succeeded by | Spencer Phips (acting) |
| In office 7 August 1753 – 25 September 1756 | |
| Preceded by | Spencer Phips (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Spencer Phips (acting) |
| Governor of the Bahamas | |
| In office 1760–1768 | |
| Preceded by | John Gambier (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Shirley |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 December 1694 Sussex, England |
| Died | 24 March 1771 (aged 76) Roxbury, Province of Massachusetts Bay |
| Profession | Barrister, politician |
| Signature |  |
William Shirley (2 December 1694 – 24 March 1771) was a British Army officer and colonial administrator who served as the governor of the British American colonies of Massachusetts Bay and the Bahamas. He is best known for his role in organizing the successful capture of Louisbourg during King George's War, and for his role in managing military affairs during the French and Indian War. He spent most of his years in the colonial administration of British North America working to defeat New France, but his lack of formal military training led to political difficulties and his eventual downfall.
Politically well connected, Shirley began his career in Massachusetts as advocate general in the admiralty court, and quickly became an opponent of Governor Jonathan Belcher. He joined with Belcher's other political enemies to bring about Belcher's recall, and was appointed Governor of Massachusetts Bay in Belcher's place. He successfully quieted political divisions within the province, and was able to bring about united action against New France when King George's War began in 1744. The successful capture of Louisbourg, which Shirley had a major role in organizing, was one of the high points of his administration.
After King George's War Shirley became mired in disputes over funding and accounting for the war effort, and returned to England in 1749 to deal with political and legal matters arising from those disputes. He was then assigned to a commission established by Great Britain and France to determine the colonial borders in North America. His hard-line approach to these negotiations contributed to their failure, and he returned to Massachusetts in 1753.
Military matters again dominated Shirley's remaining years in Massachusetts, with the French and Indian War beginning in 1754. Shirley led a military expedition to reinforce Fort Oswego in 1755, and became Commander-in-Chief, North America upon the death of General Edward Braddock.
Notably, as Commander-in-Chief, Shirley knew George Washington, who served under his command. In 1756, Shirley wrote a letter advocating in favor of a promotion for George Washington, writing, "I do therefore give it as my Opinion that Capt. Dagworthy who now acts under a Commission from the Governor of the Province of Maryland, and where there are no regular Troops join'd, can only take Rank as Provincial Captain and of Course is under the Command of all Provincial Field Officers, and in case it shall happen, that Colonel Washington and Capt. Dagworthy should join at Fort Cumberland. It is my Orders that Colonel Washington should take the Command."[1]
His difficulties in organizing expeditions in 1755 and 1756 were compounded by political disputes with New York politicians, and over military matters with Indian agent Sir William Johnson. These disagreements led to his recall in 1757 as both Commander-in-Chief and as governor. In his later years he served as governor of the Bahamas, before returning to Massachusetts, where he died.
- ^ Hamilton, Stanislaus Murray (ed.). "William Shirley to George Washington, March 5, 1756, Letters to Washington and Accompanying Papers" (PDF). Library of Congress. Society of the Colonial Dames of America. Retrieved 9 February 2024.