General William Lawless (20 April 1772 – 25 December 1824) was a Dublin-born surgeon[1] and important member of the Society of the United Irishmen,[2] a revolutionary republican organisation in late 18th century Ireland.

Lawless, a Catholic, was the confidant of Lord Edward FitzGerald,[3] and Professor of Anatomy and Physiology in the Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin.

[4] Timely notice was, however, given him of the fact by Mr. Stewart, the Surgeon-General, and he escaped to France, where his abilities and spirit recommended him to the special favour of Napoleon.

He was dangerously wounded in a sortie, and when General Monet capitulated without stipulating for the treatment of the Irish as prisoners of war, Lawless escaped from the town with the eagle of his regiment, concealed himself for two months in a doctor's house, and at length found an opportunity of getting by night in a fishing boat to Antwerp.

Marshall Jean Baptiste Jules Bernadotte welcomed him, extolled him in general orders, and reported his exploits to Napoleon, who summoned him to Paris, decorated him with the Legion of Honour, and promoted him to be lieutenant-colonel.