William Belsham (1752–1827) was an English political writer and historian, noted as a supporter of the Whig Party and its principles. In 1789 he coined the term libertarian in a discussion of free will and in opposition to "necessitarian" (or determinist) views.^[1][2] He justified the American Revolution in excusing Americans in their resistance to the demands of England, and he was an advocate of progressive political liberty.

Life

The brother of Thomas Belsham, he was born at Bedford in 1752. He died near Hammersmith 17 November 1827.

Works

He began his career as an author by publishing ‘Essays, Philosophical, Historical, and Literary,’ two vols. 1789–91. In 1792 he published ‘Examination of an Appeal from the Old to the New Whigs,’ and in 1793 ‘Remarks on the Nature and Necessity of Political Reform.’ He also wrote on the test laws, the French Revolution, the Treaty of Amiens, and the poor laws.

In 1793 he published, in two volumes, ‘Memoirs of the Kings of Great Britain of the House of Brunswick-Luneburg,’ and this was followed in 1795 by ‘Memoirs of the Reign of George III to the Session of Parliament 1793,’ in four volumes, a fifth and sixth volume appearing in 1801, bringing it down to 1799. In 1798 he published, in two volumes, ‘A History of Great Britain from the Revolution to the Accession of the House of Hanover,’ and in 1806 all the volumes were reissued, with two additional volumes, the twelve volumes appearing under the title, ‘History of Great Britain to the Conclusion of the Peace of Amiens in 1802.’

References

Attribution

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Belsham, William". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.