Shirley, William (1694-1771), served as colonial governor of Massachusetts from 1741 to 1756. For a short time, he commanded all British forces in North America. He was responsible for the important capture of the French stronghold of Louisbourg in 1745, during the French and Indian wars. When England paid Massachusetts for its part in the war, Shirley redeemed the colony’s paper money and built a sound currency. Shirley was born on Dec. 2, 1694, in Sussex, England. He died on March 24, 1771.
