William Blake
(1757 - 1827), English poet and artist. He is considered to be one of the greatest of the English Romantic poets.William Booth
(1829 - 1912), English religious leader. He established a Christian mission in London's East End in the 1860's. In 1878 he founded the Salvation Army.William Caxton
(c.1422 - 91), English printer and translator. His 'Recuyell of the Historyes of Troy' (printed at Bruges, 1475), was the first book to be printed in English.William Cowper
(1731 - 1800), English poet and hymn writer. He wrote 'John Gilpin' and 'The Task'.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 Makepeace Thackeray
(1811 - 63), Indian-born English novelist and essayist. He is best known for writing "Vanity Fair". His other works include "Pendennis" and "Henry Esmond".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 Somerset Maugham
(1874 - 1965), English novelist and dramatist. His most famous novels are "Of Human Bondage", "The Moon and Sixpence" and "Ashenden". William Thomas Cosgrave
(1880 - 1965), Irish nationalist politician. In 1922 he became the first president of the Irish Free State.William Wilberforce
(1759 - 1833), English philanthropist and politician. His long campaign to end the British slave trade led to its abolition in 1807.