William Coventry, 5th Earl of Coventry

Portrait of William Coventry, 5th Earl of Coventry by Sir Godfrey Kneller. Painted in 1720 William Coventry, 5th Earl of Coventry (c. 1676 – 18 March 1751), of London and later Croome Court, Worcestershire, was a British Whig politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1708 to 1719.

Early life Coventry was the son of Walter Coventry and his wife Anne (née Holcombe), daughter of Humphrey Holcombe, merchant, of St. Andrew's Holborn. He succeeded his father in 1692. He was admitted at Pembroke College, Cambridge on 13 April 1693, aged 16. His grandfather Walter Coventry was the youngest brother of Thomas Coventry, 1st Baron Coventry.

Career Coventry was returned unopposed as Whig Member of Parliament for Bridport at the 1708 British general election. He voted for naturalizing the Palatines in 1709 and for the impeachment of Dr Sacheverell in 1710. At the 1710 British general election he was again returned unopposed. He voted for the amendment to the South Sea bill on 25 May 1711 and for the motion for ‘No Peace Without Spain’ on 7 December. He also voted against the French commerce bill on 18 June 13. At the 1713 British general election he was returned again unopposed for Bridport. He voted against the expulsion of Richard Steele on 18 March 1713. In 1724 he was successfully sued by Anne Coventry, the widow of the fourth earl, for her inheritance.

Later life and legacy Lord Coventry married Elizabeth Allen, daughter of John Allen of Westminster, in 1720. He became High Steward of Bridport in 1727.