William Williams (politician)

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For other persons named William Williams, see William Williams (disambiguation).

Sir William Williams (16341700) was a Welsh lawyer and politician.

He was a lawyer, MP for Chester and later for Beaumaris, and the first Welshman to become Speaker of the House of Commons, a post which he held from 1680 to 1685, including the 1681 Oxford Parliament. A critic of King James II, he was nevertheless appointed Solicitor-General after a dispute with fellow Welshman Judge Jeffreys. He helped to draft the Declaration of Right.

Williams was knighted in 1687 and created First Baronet Williams of Angelsey in 1688.

In 1689–1690 he was Custos Rotulorum, "Keeper of the Rolls", of Denbighshire.

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Honorary Titles
Preceded by:
The Marquess of Powis
Custos Rotulorum of Merionethshire
1689–1690
Succeeded by:
Sir John Wynn, 5th Baronet