William Petty, 2nd Earl of Shelburne (1737-1805), was a British statesman and a key figure in the late 18th century. He served as Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1782 to 1783, during a challenging period following the American Revolutionary War. Shelburne was known for his efforts to reform government and promote free trade. As a member of the Whig Party, Shelburne played a significant role in negotiating the Treaty of Paris in 1783, which ended the war with the United States. His tenure was marked by political instability, and he eventually resigned due to opposition from other political leaders, including Charles James Fox.