William Paget, 1st Baron Paget

The Lord Paget
Painting of William Paget, attributed to Master of the Stätthalterin Madonna
Born	1506 Wednesbury, Staffordshire
Died	9 June 1563
Education	St Paul's School and University of Paris
Occupation	several diplomatic missions
Spouse(s)	Anne Preston
Children	Henry Paget, 2nd Baron Paget Thomas Paget, 3rd Baron Paget Charles Paget Edward Paget Etheldreda Paget Eleanor Paget Grisold Paget Joan Paget Dorothy Paget Anne Paget
Parent(s)	William Paget, one of the serjeants-at-mace of the city of London, and his wife, Anne

William Paget, 1st Baron Paget of Beaudesert KG PC (1506 – 9 June 1563), was an English and accountant who held prominent positions in the service of Henry VIII, Edward VI and Mary I.

He was the son of John Pachett or Paget, one of the serjeants-at-mace of the city of London. He was born in Staffordshire in 1506, and was educated at St Paul's School when William Lily was its headmaster, and at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, proceeding afterwards to the University of Paris. At St Paul's, he befriended the future antiquary John Leland and later acted as one of his benefactors.

He served as Member of Parliament for Lichfield in 1529 and for Middlesex in 1545.

Probably through the influence of Stephen Gardiner, who had early befriended Paget, he was employed by King Henry VIII in several important diplomatic missions; in 1532 he was appointed Clerk of the Signet and soon afterwards of the privy council. He became secretary to Anne of Cleves in 1539. In April 1543 he was sworn of the privy council and appointed secretary of state, in which position Henry VIII relied on his advice, at last appointing him one of the council to act during the minority of King Edward VI.