William Rufane (died 14 February 1773) was a British soldier who fought in the Seven Years' War, was governor of Martinique in 1762–63 and rose to the rank of lieutenant general.
[10] Robert Monckton left Barbados on 5 January 1762 bound for Martinique with an army of about 14,000 troops and a black labour force of 1,500.
[14] In a letter from Rufane to Egremont dated 19 July 1762 he enclosed the census and representations from Mr MacLean, receiver general and collector, on matters relating to trade on which he needed instructions.
He had issued an ordinance that required all agreements between French and English to be recorded in both languages and signed by both parties before witnesses, except where money is paid on the spot.
France ceded Île-Royale (Cape Breton Island), Canada (Quebec), the Great Lakes Basin and the land east of the Mississippi River.
Britain returned France's West Indian possessions, including Martinique, as well as the French trading posts in India and the slaving station on the Île de Gorée in what is now Senegal.
On 14 June 1765 Rufane was made colonel of the 6th Regiment of Foot stationed in Scotland, in place of General John Guise, who had died.
Rufane died on 14 February 1773 shortly after reaching Saint Vincent and was succeeded by Lieutenant General John Gore of the 61st regiment.