Lieutenant-General William Amherst (5 February 1732 – 13 May 1781) was a British Army officer and politician.

During the Seven Years' War, he led British forces that recaptured St. John's, Newfoundland from the French at the 1762 Battle of Signal Hill.

Their children included: Amherst was commissioned as an ensign in the First Regiment of Foot Guards in 1755.

[2] As a lieutenant colonel, Amherst was instrumental in the re-capture of St. John's from the French in 1762 at the Battle of Signal Hill.

[2] An area near Signal Hill at the entrance of St. John's harbour is named "Fort Amherst" in commemoration of his victory in 1762.