Sir William Pepperrell, Baronet

British soldier
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Britannica Websites
Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
Also known as: William Pepperell
Quick Facts
Pepperrell also spelled:
Pepperell
Born:
June 27, 1696, Kittery, Massachusetts [now in Maine, U.S.]
Died:
July 6, 1759, Kittery (aged 63)
Title / Office:
governor (1756-1757), Massachusetts

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 ...(100 of 138 words)