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Why was Sir William Blackstone described as a posthumous son?
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Sir William Blackstone
William Blackstone, oil painting attributed to Sir Joshua Reynolds; in the National Portrait Gallery, London.
Sir William Blackstone was described as a posthumous son because he was born after the death of his father, Charles Blackstone, a silk merchant. In this context, the term "posthumous" refers to a child born following the passing of their father.12