William Smith | |
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&sq=&lang=&file=File:William_Smith_Thomson.jpg) William Smith | |
| Born | William Smith 22 September 1756 Clapham (then a village south of London) |
| Died | 31 May 1835 (aged 78) London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Years active | 1782 – c. 1825 |
| Known for | Social justice, prison reform |
| Notable work | campaigns for abolition of slavery |
| Spouse | Frances Coape (m.1781) |
| Children | 8, including Benjamin Smith |
| Relatives | Barbara Bodichon (granddaughter)
Benjamin Leigh Smith (grandson) Florence Nightingale (granddaughter) |
William Smith (22 September 1756 – 31 May 1835) was a leading independent British politician, sitting as Member of Parliament (MP) for more than one constituency. He was an English Dissenter and was instrumental in bringing political rights to that religious minority. He was a friend and close associate of William Wilberforce and a member of the Clapham Sect of social reformers, and was in the forefront of many of their campaigns for social justice, prison reform and philanthropic endeavour, most notably the abolition of slavery. He was the grandfather of pioneer nurse and statistician Florence Nightingale and educationalist Barbara Bodichon, a founder of Girton College, Cambridge.