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Godwin (WILLIAM an English political)

WILLIAM, an English political writer and novelist; born in Wisbeach, England, March 3, 1756. His father (1723-1772) was a dissenting minister. William was educated at Hoxton Presbyterian College; preached as a dissenting minister, 1777-1782. He turned radical, and devoted himself to literature.

He married Mary Wollstonecraft in 1797, though he had objections on principle to marriage. He wrote "Inquiry Concerning Political Justice. etc." (1793); "History of the Commonwealth" (1824-1828); the novels, "Caleb Williams" (1794); "St. Leon" (1799); "Mandeville" (1817); etc. He also published histories of Rome, Greece, and England, a "Pantheon," and "Fables" under the pseudonym of Edward Baldwin. He died in London, April 7, 1836. See GODWIN, MARY.