William FitzClarence, 2nd Earl Of Munster

William FitzClarence, 2nd Earl of Munster, was born on 19 May 1824. He held the title of Viscount FitzClarence from 1831 until 1842. He was a member of the British peerage and was named after his grandfather, King William IV.

His father was George FitzClarence, 1st Earl of Munster, who was an illegitimate son of King William IV and his mistress Dorothea Jordan. Therefore, William FitzClarence was a great-grandson of King George III and a first cousin once removed of Queen Victoria. His mother was Mary Wyndham (d. 3 December 1842), the illegitimate daughter of George Wyndham, 3rd Earl of Egremont.

William FitzClarence inherited the earldom following the death of his father, who died by suicide on 20 March 1842. During the Victorian era, he engaged in typical upper-class activities such as hunting and attending social balls.

In a military capacity, FitzClarence purchased his commission as an ensign and lieutenant in the Scots Fusilier Guards on 1 July 1842. Subsequently, he purchased a cornetcy and sub-lieutenancy in the Grenadier Guards on 7 April 1843. He continued purchasing military ranks, becoming a lieutenant on 1 May 1846 and a captain on 16 March 1849. He retired from the Army in April 1851.

FitzClarence married Wilhelmina Kennedy-Erskine, his first cousin, on 17 April 1855. She was born on 27 June 1830 and died on 9 October 1906. Wilhelmina was the eldest daughter of Hon. John Kennedy-Erskine and Lady Augusta FitzClarence, who was the sister of William FitzClarence's father. Wilhelmina later became a novelist.

The couple had nine children:

- Edward FitzClarence, Viscount FitzClarence (29 March 1856 – 1870)

- Hon Lionel Frederick Archibald FitzClarence (24 July 1857 – 24 March 1863)

- Major Geoffrey George Gordon FitzClarence, 3rd Earl of Munster (18 July 1859 – 2 February 1902), who died without issue

- Hon Arthur Falkland Manners FitzClarence (18 October 1860 – 20 April 1861)

- Aubrey FitzClarence, 4th Earl of Munster (7 June 1862 – 1 January 1928), who died without issue

- Hon William George FitzClarence (17 September 1864 – 4 October 1899), married Charlotte Elizabeth Williams

- Hon Harold Edward FitzClarence (15 November 1870 – 28 August 1926), father of Geoffrey FitzClarence, 5th Earl of Munster

- Lady Lillian Adelaide Katherine Mary FitzClarence (10 December 1873 – 15 July 1948), married Captain William Arthur Edward Boyd

- Lady Dorothea Augusta FitzClarence (5 May 1876 – 28 January 1942), married Major Chandos Brydges Lee-Warner

William FitzClarence died in 1901 at the age of 77 at 23 Palmeira Square, Hove. His death occurred during the reign of King Edward VII. He was buried at Cuckfield, Sussex. His titles were succeeded by his third eldest son, Geoffrey FitzClarence.