William Walker was an American politician and adventurer born in 1824. He is best known for his attempts to establish English-speaking colonies in Central America during the mid-19th century. Walker led several expeditions to Nicaragua, where he briefly served as president in 1856, promoting the idea of a pro-slavery state. His actions were controversial and led to conflicts with both local populations and the U.S. government. Walker's ambitions ultimately failed, and he was captured and executed in 1860 in Honduras. His legacy remains a complex mix of ambition, imperialism, and the consequences of his actions in Central America.