Early Life
William Halifax was born in Justice Hill, the traditional home of his family in Suffolk on 25 September 1786. He was the second son of George Halifax. Halifax grew up very close to both his mother and his older brother George. His mother died in 1792 and, in his autobiographical notes, Halifax wrote a touching description of how he would lay on a hill and gaze up at the sky, wondering if his mother could see him. His relationship with his father seems to have been a bit more complex. Based on his assorted writings and musings, it seems probable that William attempted to earn his father’s affection and respect by being an overly dutiful son, serving in the army and studying law at the Middle Temple at his father’s request and was never quite satisfied that he earned his father’s approval.
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