William King (1768-1852) is best known as the father of Maine Statehood and the new state's first governor.

Born in Scarborough, this son of a merchant falsely accused of being a Loyalist, made his own way in the world becoming a shipbuilder and merchant in Bath before turning to populist politics.

In the Massachusetts Legislature he championed "The Betterment Act" (1808) which aided squatters and the "Toleration Act" which abolished town support of the standing order church.