William Fitzwilliam, 4th Earl Fitzwilliam (1748–1833), styled Viscount Milton until 1756, British Whig statesman
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Sir William Fitzwilliam (c.1460–1534) was an Alderman and Sheriff of London and acquired the Milton Hall estate in Peterborough in 1502.
It would be set off and incorporated in 1802 as "Milton", the name either a contraction of "mill town", or else derived from a relative of the Wentworth colonial governors -- William Fitzwilliam, Earl Fitzwilliam and Viscount Milton.
According to local legend, the town was named for the English poet John Milton, but the name most likely originated from William FitzWilliam, 4th Earl FitzWilliam, who held the title Viscount Milton.
Lord Fitzwilliam died at Marholm at the age of thirty-seven and was succeeded as Earl by his son Charles.
On his deathbed he was attended by several Catholic priests, and though like his brother Oliver he was buried in Donnybrook Church the burial service was conducted according to the Catholic rite.
He also opposed the government's policy on the civil list as it was not in accordance with Burke's Civil List and Secret Service Money Act 1782.