William Courtenay, 9th Earl of Devon

William "Kitty" Courtenay, 9th Earl of Devon (c. 1768 – 26 May 1835)

The youngest son of William Courtenay, (de jure 8th Earl of Devon) 2nd Viscount Courtenay and his wife Frances Clack. He was baptized on 30 August 1768.

Courtney's siblings consisted of thirteen sisters. Born fourth among his parent's children, William Courtenay was better known as "Kitty" Courtenay to family and friends. William Courtenay inherited the title of 3rd Viscount Courtenay of Powderham. Furthermore, he also retrospectively revived the title of Earl of Devon in 1831 for the Courtenay family, the title having been dormant since 1556. With his new title, he led an excessively flamboyant lifestyle. He was responsible for the addition of a new Music Room at Powderham Castle, designed by James Wyatt, which included a carpet made by the newly formed Axminster Carpet Company.

As a youth Courtenay was sometimes named by contemporaries to be the most beautiful boy in England. Courtenay was homosexual and became infamous for his affair with art collector William Beckford.

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