William Belsham

William Belsham (1752–1827) was an English political writer and historian, recognized as a proponent of the Whig Party and its principles. He offered justifications for the American Revolution, excusing the Americans' resistance to England's demands, and championed progressive political liberty. Belsham was the brother of the Unitarian preacher Thomas Belsham and the brother-in-law of the Unitarian minister Timothy Kenrick. He was born in Bedford and died near Hammersmith in 1827. He wrote history from a radical Whig perspective, aligning with historians like Charles James Fox and Anthony Robinson in their anti-war sentiments. Belsham's literary career began with "Essays, Philosophical, Historical, and Literary" (1789–91). He is credited with using the term "libertarian" in the context of free will, contrasting it with necessitarian (determinist) views. His other works include "Examination of an Appeal from the Old to the New Whigs" (1792), "Remarks on the Nature and Necessity of Political Reform" (1793), and writings on the Test Act, the French Revolution, the Treaty of Amiens, and the poor laws. His historical writings also include "Memoirs of the Kings of Great Britain of the House of Brunswick-Luneburg" (1793) and a comprehensive "History of Great Britain" spanning twelve volumes, which brought the narrative up to 1802. Belsham engaged in a notable controversy with Bishop Herbert Marsh regarding the responsibility for the French Revolutionary Wars, siding with the Foxite Whig position and supporting German critics of Great Britain.