Famous First Names Beginning with the Letter - W

William Henry Beveridge

[1st Baron Beveridge], (1879 - 1963), Indian-born English economist. His 'Beveridge Report' became the basis for the welfare state introduced in Britain.

William Somerset Maugham

(1874 - 1965), English novelist and dramatist. His most famous novels are "Of Human Bondage", "The Moon and Sixpence" and "Ashenden".

Walter Raleigh

[Sir], (1552 - 1618), English courtier, poet and explorer. He organized unsuccessful attempts to colonize Virginia with English settlers in the 1580s. In 1595, he travelled to the Orinoco. He was imprisoned after Queen Elizabeth's death, but was released to search for treasure on the Orinoco in 1616, and was executed on his return.

William McGonagall

(1825 - l902), Scottish poet. William McGonagall is widely regarded as having been the worst poet ever. He wrote over 200 poems, the most famous of which is "The Tay Bridge Disaster".

William Thomas Cosgrave

(1880 - 1965), Irish nationalist politician. In 1922 he became the first president of the Irish Free State.