William Lyttelton, 1st Baron Lyttelton

The Right Honourable
The Lord Lyttelton
Governor of Jamaica
Preceded by Henry Moore
(acting)
Succeeded by Roger Hope Elletson
Colonial Governor of South Carolina
Preceded by James Glen
Succeeded by Thomas Pownall

William Henry Lyttelton, 1st Baron Lyttelton (24 December 1724 – 14 September 1808) was the youngest son of Sir Thomas Lyttelton, 4th Baronet.

As the youngest son, he did not expect to inherit the family estates and served in various government appointments. He became governor of colonial South Carolina in 1755. As such he was a major factor in the eventual story of America's independence. His insistence on respecting the treaty rights of native peoples aggravated settlers on the frontier of South Carolina and led to a severe rift between those respecting the King's directives and those opposed. The opposing factions eventually fought the civil war in South Carolina that was perhaps the key factor in America's independence. He was appointed Governor of Jamaica in 1760, and envoy-extraordinary to Portugal in 1766. He was raised to the Irish peerage in 1776 as Baron Westcote.

As a result of the death without issue of his nephew Thomas Lyttelton, 2nd Baron Lyttelton in 1779, he inherited the family baronetcy and family estates in Frankley, Halesowen, and Hagley. However, the estates in Upper Arley passed to the late lord's sister Lucy, wife of Arthur Annesley, 1st Earl of Mountnorris.

The title Baron Lyttelton was revived for Baron Westcote in 1794. He married twice. His first wife was Martha, daughter and coheir of James Macartney of Longford, nephew and coheir of Ambrose Aungier, 2nd Earl of Longford. They had three children including George Fulke, his successor. His second wife was Caroline Bristow, by whom he had two children including William Henry Lyttelton, 3rd Baron Lyttelton.

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Government offices
Preceded by
James Glen
Colonial Governor of South Carolina
1756–1760
Succeeded by
Thomas Pownall
Preceded by
Henry Moore
(acting)
Governor of Jamaica
1762–1766
Succeeded by
Roger Hope Elletson
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by
Unknown
Envoy to Portugal
1766–1770
Succeeded by
Hon. Robert Walpole
Parliament of Great Britain
Preceded by
William Bowles
Member of Parliament for Bewdley
1748–1755
Succeeded by
William Finch
Preceded by
Sir Edward Winnington, Bt
Member of Parliament for Bewdley
1774–1790
Succeeded by
George Fulke Lyttelton
Peerage of Great Britain
New creation Baron Lyttelton
1794–1808
Succeeded by
George Fulke Lyttelton
Peerage of Ireland
New creation Baron Westcote
1776–1808
Succeeded by
George Fulke Lyttelton
Baronetage of England
Preceded by
Thomas Lyttelton
Baronet
(of Frankley)
1779–1808
Succeeded by
George Fulke Lyttelton