William Shirley (1694-1771) was a British colonial administrator, lawyer, and army officer who served as royal governor of Massachusetts Bay (1741-1749 & 1753-1756) and as governor of the Bahamas (1761-1768). Following Edward Braddock's death during the Seven Years War in 1755, Shirley assumed command of the British forces in North America, but British failure in subsequent engagements compelled his removal from command the following year.