William Pinney

Colonel William Pinney (4 July 1806 – 30 May 1898) was a British Liberal and Whig politician, and military officer.

Born in Somerton, Somerset, Pinney was the son of John Frederick Pinney and Frances née Dickinson, the daughter of William Dickinson. He died unmarried.

Pinney was first elected Whig MP for Lyme Regis at the 1832 general election and held the seat until 1842 when he was unseated due to bribery, treating, and other corrupt practices by himself, and his agents, friends and parties.

He returned to Parliament for East Somerset at a 1847 by-election—caused by the death of William Gore-Langton—and held the seat until 1852, when he stood down to successfully contest Lyme Regis again. He then held this seat until 1865, when he stood down.

In 1868, Pinney stood for East Somerset once more, but ended bottom of the poll out of four candidates.

Pinney was also Colonel of the 2nd Somerset Militia from 18 January 1850.