WINDHAM, win'dam, WILMA N r (1750-1810). An English statesman, born in London. Ile was educated at Eton, Glasgow University, and Isni versity College, Oxford. In the Portland Min istry, formed by the coalition of Fox and Lord North (1783), Windham became the principal secretary to Lord Northington, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, but, dissatisfied With the policy pursued, he pleaded ill health, resigned, and returned to England. In 1784 he en tered Parliament and held his seat till 1802. I n the outbreak of the French Revolution he went with Burke into reaction, and favored the bills against seditious meetings and aliens. lie entered the Ministry of Pitt (1794) as Secretary of War, and began a series of re forms in the army which mark his hest work. Going out of office with Pitt in 1801. he opposed the Peace of Amiens, a policy which cost him his seat at Norwich. In 1803 be became the head of the Grenville party, and, gradually drift ing away from Pitt, united once more with Fox, and in 1806 accepted the Colonial Office in the Grenville Administration. Renewing his efforts
for military reforms, he advocated and carried measures for pensions, higher pay. and shorter terms of service. Two years later life service was reintroduced against his protest. but in 1547 Windham's principle of short enlistment was re inaugurated. In the war against Napoleon Wind ham favored concentration and opposed the attack on Copenhagen and the disastrous Walcheren expedition. In general, he believed in protecting England by developing its navy, and not by fortifying its coasts. Consult: Amyot, Speeches Frith Memoir (London, 1812) ; Barinp., Wind ham's Diary (London, 1866), of great value; and Lecky, History of England in the Eighteenth Century (London and New York, 1890-92).