Sir William Fenwick Williams | The Canadian Encyclopedia

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Sir William Fenwick Williams

Sir William Fenwick Williams, army officer (b at Annapolis Royal, NS 4 Dec 1800; d at London, Eng 26 July 1883). A British officer on loan to the Turkish army, Williams became a hero in 1855 when he led the determined, though unsuccessful, defence of Kars against Russia during the CRIMEAN WAR.

Williams, Sir William Fenwick

Sir William Fenwick Williams, army officer (b at Annapolis Royal, NS 4 Dec 1800; d at London, Eng 26 July 1883). A British officer on loan to the Turkish army, Williams became a hero in 1855 when he led the determined, though unsuccessful, defence of Kars against Russia during the CRIMEAN WAR. From 1859 to 1865, as commander in chief in BNA, he organized preparations for defence against the US during the AMERICAN CIVIL WAR although the British government doubted his capacity to command should an invasion occur. Valuing his charm and popularity, however, the British made him lt-gov of NS (Nov 1865-Oct 1867) so that he could use his influence to counter provincial opposition to CONFEDERATION.