Mary Wollstonecraft (1759–1797): Author and promoter of women’s rights. Wollstonecraft was born in London, the fifth of seven children of Edward John Wollstonecraft (1736–1803), an increasingly unsuccessful businessman and farmer. Financial troubles forced the family to move frequently. Wollstonecraft initially worked as a lady’s companion, in a school she set up with her sisters and a friend, and as a governess. But in 1787 she decided to concentrate on a literary career, aided by the radical publisher, Joseph Johnson (1738–1809; DNB), for whom she wrote reviews and translations.

William Wordsworth (1770–1850): Poet. Wordsworth was born in Cockermouth, the second of five of five children of John Wordsworth (1741–1783), a legal agent for the Lowther family, the most powerful landowners in the Lake District. After his mother died in 1778, Wordsworth was sent to Hawkshead Grammar School and then St John’s College, Cambridge (1787–1791). In 1791 he visited France and had a brief relationship with Annette Vallon, with whom he had a daughter, Caroline.

Francis Wrangham (1769–1842): Writer and Church of England clergyman. Wrangham was born at Raysthorpe, near Malton, Yorkshire, the son of George Wrangham (1741–1791), a prosperous farmer. He was educated at Hull Grammar School and Magdalene and Trinity Hall, Cambridge. Wrangham was ordained in 1793 and enjoyed a successful career in the Church thanks to the initial patronage of the Dukes of Manchester, culminating in posts as Archdeacon of Cleveland 1820–1828 and of the East Riding 1828–1841.

Thomas Wordsworth (1806–1812): Third child of Mary and William Wordsworth. Born 15 June 1806. Died of measles 1 December 1812.

Sara Wood (dates unknown): A resident of the Cumbrian port of Maryport. She was possibly a member of the Wood family, who were leading shipbuilders in the town. Miss Wood was the mortgagee of Greta Hall, Southey’s home, from 1815, and Southey paid his rent directly to her for a period from 1817 onwards. Southey corresponded with her intermittently on a professional basis.

Richard York (1778–1843): Deputy Lieutenant for the West Riding of Yorkshire and Lieutenant-Colonel in the yeomanry. He lived at Wighill Park, Tadcaster, Yorkshire. York married Lady Mary-Anne Lascelles (1775–1831), daughter of Edward, 1st Earl of Harewood (1740–1820), a Yorkshire landowner with extensive interests in the West Indies, in 1801. York was an occasional correspondent of Southey’s. In 1822 Southey thanked him for a gift of some pheasants and for compliments on his recent letter in the Courier.

Mary Wynn (née Cunliffe; d. 1838): Daughter of Foster Cunliffe, 3rd Baronet (1755–1834) and wife of Charles Watkin Williams Wynn.

Robert Wilberforce (1802–1857): The second son of William Wilberforce and his wife Barbara. He was educated privately and then at Oriel College, Oxford, becoming a Fellow of the latter in 1826. However, he resigned his Fellowship in 1831 and took up a career in the Church of England, becoming Archdeacon of the East Riding in 1841. He was close to many of the leading figures in the Oxford Movement and converted to Roman Catholicism in 1854. Wilberforce met Southey as a young man during family visits to the Lake District.

Simon Wilkin (1790–1862): Owner of a paper mill in Norwich, with wide interests, including entomology. Bankruptcy led him to establish a printing and publishing business in Norwich which produced the work of, among others, Amelia Opie and William Taylor. His most impressive project was his new edition of the life and works of Sir Thomas Browne (1605–1682; DNB), which finally appeared in 1835–1836. Southey advised Wilkin on the early stages of this project and greatly admired Wilkin’s work.

Richard White (1771–1847): Partner in Blake, White and Ainger, solicitors of Essex Street, London, who handled the business affairs of Jacob Pleydell–Bouverie, 2nd Earl of Radnor (1750–1828). White corresponded with Southey in 1826 when the Earl arranged Southey’s election (without his knowledge) for the pocket borough of Downton.