William Wakefield
William Wakefield | |
|---|---|
Mr. William Wakefield sketched in the Court of Kings Bench in 1826 | |
| Birth name | William Hayward Wakefield |
| Born | 1801 London, United Kingdom |
| Died | 19 September 1848 (aged 46–47) Wellington, New Zealand |
| Allegiance | Kingdom of Portugal Empire of Brazil Kingdom of Spain (Cristinos) United Kingdom |
| Branch | Portuguese Loyalists British Auxiliary Legion |
| Service years | 1832–37 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | 1st Reina Isabel Lancer Regiment, 1836–37 |
| Commands | 1st Reina Isabel Lancer Regiment, 1836–37 |
| Conflicts | Liberal Wars (Portuguese Civil War) • Siege of Porto First Carlist War • Battle of Ayete, 1836 Wairau Affray |
| Awards | Lieutenant-Governor of New Zealand, 1840 |
| Memorials | William Wakefield Memorial, Wellington |
| Spouse | Emily Sidney |
| Relations | Edward Wakefield (father) Susanna Wakefield (mother Priscilla Wakefield (grandmother) Catherine Wakefield (sister) E.G. Wakefield (brother) Arthur Wakefield (brother) Daniel Wakefield (brother) Felix Wakefield (brother) Jerningham Wakefield (nephew) Emily Wakefield (daughter) |
| Other work | Principal Agent, New Zealand Company, 1839–48 |
Colonel William Hayward Wakefield (1801 – 19 September 1848) was an English officer of the British Auxiliary Legion, and the leader of the second New Zealand Company's first colonising expedition to New Zealand; one of the founders of Wellington city. As a leader, he attracted much controversy.