William Steuart (Scottish soldier)

William Steuart
Born	1643
Died	4 June 1726 (aged 82–83)
Allegiance	Kingdom of Great Britain
Service/branch	British Army
Rank	General
Commands held	Queen Anne's Forces in Ireland
Battles/wars	Williamite War in Ireland

General Sir William Steuart (1643 – 4 June 1726), was a Scottish-born soldier, Commander-in-chief of Queen Anne's Forces in Ireland, Member of Parliament for County Waterford and a Privy Councillor. He was a benefactor of Hanover Square, London, donating the land and laying the first stone of St George's, Hanover Square.

William Steuart (also sometimes spelt Stewart) was the second son of Colonel William Stewart (d.1691), adjutant to the Marquess of Montrose at the Battle of Philiphaugh, by his wife Barbara, the granddaughter of James Stewart, Earl of Arran and Lord Chancellor of Scotland. His paternal grandfather, William Stewart of Burray lived at Mains, Wigtownshire and was the elder brother of Alexander Stewart, 1st Earl of Galloway. Steuart himself was a first cousin of John Sinclair (d.1705), 8th Earl of Caithness, and a nephew of Lt.-Col. Sir Archibald Stewart (d.1689), the first Baronet of Burray.

His father had been granted lands in Ireland by Charles II of England in lieu of arrears of pay due to him as a Cavalier officer during the English Civil War, and it was there that William Steuart grew up. He joined the English Army and became a Captain with the 1st Foot Guards before his promotion by William III of Orange to Lieutenant-Colonel of the 16th Foot. He was subsequently promoted to Colonel of the 9th Regiment following the Glorious Revolution. Before Stewart took command, the regiment had taken part in aborted attempt to relieve the besieged city of Derry under another Colonel John Cunningham who was dismissed by King William for his failure. Stewart's regiment was re-embarked as part of General Percy Kirke's second relief force for Derry.