William Carr Beresford, viscount, a British general, born in Ireland, Oct. 2, 1768, died in Kent, Jan. 8, 1854. He was the illegitimate son of the first marquis of Waterford, and entered the army at an early age. While in Nova Scotia he lost an eye. He served at Toulon, in Corsica, the West and East Indies, and in Ireland, and took part in the conquest of the Cape of Good Hope. Thence he was detached in 1806 in command of the land forces of an expedition against Buenos Ayres, with the rank of brigadier general. He took the place, but was obliged to surrender it with his corps, and soon afterward made his escape. He was in command of the force which captured Madeira in 1807 and took possession of the island. In 1808 he was sent to Portugal with the rank of major general and intrusted with the organization of the Portuguese army. He was one of the commissioners upon the adjustment of the terms of the convention of Cintra. He accompanied Sir John Moore into Spain, was present at the battle of Corunna, and covered the embarkation of the troops. In 1809 he was appointed marshal and generalissimo of the Portuguese army, which he reorganized and brought into a state of great efficiency. He supported Wellington throughout the peninsular war, and took part in all the principal battles.

On May 4, 1811, he invested the fortress of Badajoz, but considered it advisable to raise the siege, and on the 16th defeated Soult at the battle of Albuera, rather, however, through the courage of his soldiers than through his own generalship. He took part in the victories of Salamanca, Vitoria, Bayonne, Orthez, and Toulouse, and was created field marshal of Portugal, duke of Elvas, and marquis of Santo Cam-po. In 1810 he was chosen member of parliament, but never took his seat. In 1814 he was created Baron Beresford of Albuera and Dun-gannon, and went on a diplomatic mission to Brazil; and in 1817 he suppressed an insurrection in Brazil, On behalf of the Portuguese government. After his return to England he was made viscount (1823) and general of the army (1825). From 1828 to 1830 he was master general of the ordnance. Having assisted in forwarding English troops to Dom Miguel, he was deprived by the Portuguese government of the rank of field marshal. In politics he was a decided tory. He married in 1832 his cousin Louisa, daughter of the archbishop of Tuam and widow of Thomas Hope, but died without children, his titles becoming extinct.