William Godwin GodwinWilliam Godwin was an English journalist, political philosopher, and novelist (he died on April 7, 1836). He is regarded as one of the founding figures of both anarchists thought and utilitarianism. His writings include The Adventures of Caleb Willias and An Enquiry Concerning Political Justice. Godwin, the seventh of his parents' thirteen children, was born in Wisbech, Isle of Ely, Cambridgeshire to John and Anne Godwin. Godwin's mother's family was middle class, but the income was wasted because of her uncle's hedonistic lifestyle. Godwin's parents were staunch Calvinists and his father was a prosperous businessman engaged in the Baltic Sea commerce. His works include a biography of William Pitt the Elder and a series of pro-Whig political pamphlets. Mary Wollstonecraft and novelist William Godwin first interacted in 1796 at a dinner for Thomas Paine, another of his literary contemporaries. Their mutual respect for one another quickly turned into a sexual desire, and then love. For their kid to be accepted by society, they were married. Godwin married Mary Jane Clairmont, a neighbor, in 1801. As Yeoman Usher of the Receipt of the Exchequer, William Godwin received a sinecure appointment in 1800. He resided at New Palace Yard, which is a part of the Westminster complex, which includes the Houses of Parliament. Read More Read Less