William Frederickson (fictional character)

William Frederickson is a fictional British Captain of the 60th Rifles and a character in the Sharpe books by Bernard Cornwell.

Nicknamed 'Sweet William' by the infantry under his command. He has an eye patch covering his left eye, a horse hair wig and has facial nerve damage giving him an uncontrollable and permanently smug look, but has a heart of gold and is loyal to Sharpe and his men. He is of German and English descent and speaks both languages fluently, he is also seen to speak French competently in 'Sharpe's Siege'. He commands a company of the 60th Rifles (Royal American Rifles). When fighting he takes out his false teeth (taken from dead French soldiers), and removes his wig and eye patch.

In the Sharpe TV series, Frederickson was played by Philip Whitchurch.

He is friends with Sharpe (in the books) until Sharpe takes the woman Frederickson loves (Lucille Castineau) as his lover. After that the friendship never recovers. In Sharpe's Revenge he proves his skills as a lawyer and is last heard of making plans to be the "finest marriage lawyer in London".