Outlander

William Ransom

Birthday

01/09/1758

Place of Birth

England, GB

AKA

Willie

Lord Ellesmere

William James Ransom

William Warden Ransom

Ninth Earl of Ellesmere

Character Profile

William Ransom, born amidst the tumult of 18th-century England, stands as a character enveloped in secrets and lineage. A child of a clandestine union between the fierce Highland warrior Jamie Fraser and the graceful Geneva Dunsany, he epitomizes the intricate tapestry of tragedy and mystery that characterizes his very existence. Conceived during a fateful encounter, William arrives in a world of aristocracy, yet carries the weight of illegitimacy that casts a long shadow over his life.

Raised by Lord John Grey, his adoptive father, William's upbringing oscillates between privilege and the gnawing uncertainty of his true parentage. Each day unfolds an emotional rollercoaster, a delicate balance between the formalities of noble life and the raw, untamed spirit of the Highland legacy he inherits. As he embarks on a military career and becomes embroiled in the American Revolutionary War, William grapples with the harsh realities of conflict, identity, and familial expectations.

His journey is one of self-discovery and resilience, striving to forge an identity while navigating the complex intersections of loyalty, love, and duty—a labyrinthine quest for belonging within the narrative of his storied lineage.

Credits

Charles Vandervaart as William Ransom

Person

Outlander

Personality Traits

Courageous yet introspective.
Impulsive with a streak of rebellion and independence.
Stubborn but honorable, striving to live up to his legacy.
Kind-hearted and deeply empathetic, often weighing the emotional costs of his actions.

Key Roles

Illegitimate son of Jamie Fraser.
Earl of Ellesmere, grappling with conflicting feelings of duty and identity.
Captain in the British Royal Army, navigating the complexities of warfare.

Relationships

Jamie Fraser

His biological father, whose identity William grapples with and strives to understand throughout his life.

Profile

Brianna MacKenzie

William meets Brianna, unaware that she shares his bloodline—a connection that will reshape his understanding of family.

Profile

Lord John Grey

His adoptive father and guardian, embodying both guidance and the burden of secrecy within their relationship.

Geneva Dunsany

His mother, who represents both a fleeting maternal figure and the complexities of his identity and legitimacy.

tv Drama Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Outlander

The story of Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743, where she is immediately thrown into an unknown world where her life is threatened. When she is forced to marry Jamie, a chivalrous and romantic young Scottish warrior, a passionate affair is ignited that tears...

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