Sir William Pepperrell, Baronet

Sir William Pepperrell, Baronet (born June 27, 1696, Kittery, Massachusetts [now in Maine, U.S.]—died July 6, 1759, Kittery) was a colonial American merchant, politician, and soldier who in 1745 commanded land forces that, with a British fleet, captured the French fortress of Louisbourg (in present-day Nova Scotia). For this exploit in King George’s War, he was created a baronet (1746), the first man born in one of the 13 colonies to be so honoured. He was also given the rank of lieutenant general in the British army. For a brief period (1756–57) he was acting governor of Massachusetts.

Pepperrell became prosperous as an associate in his father’s mercantile firm and in real estate investments. He served as a member of the Massachusetts General Court and of the Governor’s Council and as chief justice of the Court of Common Pleas. His one son predeceased him, and the baronetcy became extinct upon his death.