• Name: Smith, William
• Gender: Male
• Birth Date: 22  September  1756
• Death Date: 31  May  1835
• Occupation: politician

Smith was a Dissenting politician who mixed in Godwin's circles. They did not appear to know each other intimately but there is a flurry of correspondence in 1808-1809, as well as some involvement with Richard Taylor, the publisher, which suggests that Godwin may have been planning to write a biography of him. This is supported, but not confirmed, by an entry 'Notes on W Smith' in the same period. Godwin notes his death in the diary in 1835 which corresponds with the date in the DNB.

All 'W Smith's in the diary are taken to be this Smith with the exception of one in 1794 as Godwin does not meet William Smith until 1796, according to his own records. The 1794 entry is an adv in conjunction with Holcroft and could be the actor William Smith (1730-1819), though this remains conjecture.

William Smith was involved in the subscription for Godwin with Henry Grattan and Richard Sharp according to Godwin's letter of 27 June 1808.

• MS. Abinger c. 10, fols. 69-72: 27 June 1808.
• DNB

This table lists the people this person is most frequently noted with in the diary.