William I. The Conqueror. c1027-87. Norman conquest of England, 1066. Defeated Harold II at Hastings. Ordered Domesday Survey 1085. Built Tower of London 1086. Imported feudal system.

William I. The Silent. 1533-84. Prince of Orange. Dutch leader of Protestant revolt against Philip II of Spain. Founded dynasty to today. Netherlands.

William II. (Wilhelm). 1859-1941. German Emperor 1888-1918. Dismissed Bismarck. Sought world leadership. Precipitated WWI. Abdicated. -“I rule by God’s grace”.

William II. Rufus. 1056-1100. King of England 1087-. Brutal. Subjugated Scotland, Wales.

William IV. 1765-1837. King of Great Britain and Ireland, 1830-. “Sailor King”. Reform Bill 1832.

William, Willis. 1883-1963. US poet. Pictures from Brueghel. In the American Grain.

Williams, George. 1821-1905. English founder of YMCA.

Williams, Ralph Vaughan. Vaughan Williams.

Williams, Roger. c1603-83. English Calvinist founder of Rhode Island, Providence 1636. Introduced separation of church, state.

Williams, Tennesee. 1911-83. US playwright. Streetcar Named Desire 1947. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof 1954.

Willkie, Wendell. 1892-1944. New Deal critic. US Presidential candidate 1940. One World 1943.

Wordsworth, William. 1770-1850. English Romantic lyric ballad Lake Poet. “Nature’s Priest”.

Wycherley, William. 1640-1716. English satirical Restoration dramatist: Country Wife 1675. Plain Dealer 1676.

Yancey, William. 1814-63. US pro-slavery secession leader. American Civil War.

Yeats, William. 1865-1939. Irish nationalist poet/dramatist: Wild Swans 1917. Deirdre. Tower 1928. Winding Stair 1933. Modernism.

YMCA. 1844. Founded by George Williams.