William Beauchamp Lygon, 2nd Earl Beauchamp FRS (styled as The Honourable William Lygon and Viscount Elmley; 1783 – 12 May 1823) was a British, aristocratic politician, and milita officer during the Napoleonic Wars. He represented Worcestershire in the House of Commons from 1806 until 1816, when he succeeded his father as the 2nd Earl Beauchamp.
Lygon was a prominent member of the Lygon family of Madresfield Court, Worcestershire, long-established in county politics, landholding, and society. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society on 6 December 1810, recognising his standing among learned and scientific circles of his time.
Throughout his life, Lygon managed his family estates and maintained the social and political legacy of the Beauchamp earldom until his death in 1823.
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Early life
William Beauchamp Lygon was born in 1783, the eldest son of William Lygon, 1st Earl Beauchamp and Catherine Denn. The Lygons were a prominent aristocratic family with deep roots in Worcestershire, owning the family seat at Madresfield Court and holding significant influence in both local and national affairs. He received an education typical of a young man of his social standing, preparing him for public service and estate management. Lygon later matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford, one of the most prestigious colleges at the University of Oxford, where he pursued a classical curriculum. His studies encompassed the classics, philosophy, and history, equipping him for future roles in politics, estate management, and membership in learned societies such as the Royal Society.