William Congreve was born in Stafford on 4 July 1742. He and his first wife, Rebecca Elmston, had four children together, two sons and two daughters. His eldest son William Congreve, invented the Congreve Rocket. His second wife, Julia-Elizabeth, died aged 78 in 1831. Congreve was made a Baronet on 7 December 1812. He died on 30 April1814. He was succeeded in his posts by his son.