Sir William Henry Don, 7th Baronet (4 May 1825 – 19 March 1862) was a British baronet and actor.
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Early life
Don was born on 4 May 1825. He was the son of Grace Jane Stein (1802-1878), a daughter of Edinburgh banker and distiller John Stein, and Sir Alexander Don, 6th Baronet of Newtondon, Kelso, Scottish Borders, "the model of a cavalier in all courteous and elegant accomplishments", was an intimate friend of Sir Walter Scott, and one of the most constant attendants at his social dinner parties. He sat for Roxburghshire 1814–18, 1818–20, and from 1820 until his death. His mother married as her second husband Sir James Maxwell Wallace of Ainderby Hall, near Northallerton.
His father, who was twenty-two years older than his mother, died on 11 April 1826, aged 47, when William was less than a year old after which he succeeded as 7th baronet. William was educated at Eton between 1838 and 1841. On 28–30 Aug. 1839 he took part in the Eglinton Tournament in the character of a page to Lady Montgomerie.
Career
Don entered the British Army as a cornet in the 5th Dragoon Guards 3 June 1842, was an extra aide-de-camp to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, 1844, Lieutenant in the 5th Dragoon Guards, 1845, and retired from the Army 28 November 1845 deep in debt. The fine estate called Newtondon, left him by his father, had to be sold, and produced £85,000, which went to his creditors.