Encyclopedia > William Temple (British politician)
Sir William Temple (1628 - 1699), statesman and essayist, son of Sir John Temple, was born in London, and educated at Cambridge. He travelled across Europe, and was for some time a member of the Irish Parliament, employed on various diplomatic missions. During his time as a diplomat, Temple successfully negotiated the marriage of the Prince of Orange and Princess Mary of England, and the Triple Alliance of 1668. On his return he was much consulted by Charles II, but disapproving of the courses adopted, retired to his house at Sheen.
Temple later left Sheen and purchased Moor Park, where Jonathan Swift was for a time his secretary. He took no part in the Glorious Revolution, but acquiesced to the new regime, and was offered, but refused, a role as Secretary of State.
His literary works consist for the most part of short essays, which were collected under the title Miscellanea. However, he did write some longer pieces such as Observations upon the United Provinces, and Essay on the Original and Nature of Government.
William enlisted in Gloucester County in the state of Virginia as a private in the 2nd Virginia State Regiment, 1st Virginia brigade as part of the 5th division, commanded at the time by Captain Thomas Baytop.
William and the other soldiers in these two attacking columns wore pieces of white paper in their hats to avoid confusion in the darkness, and were armed with unloaded muskets and fixed bayonets, so that an accidental shot would not reveal their presence and reduce the element of surprise.
He overtook the British at Monmouth Church, and was in an engagement with the British one whole day and lay on his arms all night expecting to engage again on the next day, but on that night the British got on board their ships.
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