Constituency : South East Lancashire 1880-85, Stretford 1885-6
William was elected alongside his cousin Robert Leake.
William is better known as an art dealer. His father's business flourished as one of Britain's premier art dealerships until two years ago when it was privately purchased. From 1870 he was a partner in Bradbury & Evans who published Punch and in 1890 became its chairman. He was said to combine business acumen with a keen eye for good art. He helped the wealthy amass fine collections of Old Masters.
William was an Anglican but in 1884 spoke against its bishops sitting in the Lords. He was in favour of women's suffrage. He was a friend of Gladstone and gave freely to party organisations. He was a founder of the National Liberal Club, London and was President of the Manchester Reform Club.
William was defeated in 1886 and at Prestwich in 1892.
In 1888 the Magazine of Art described him as "a handsome man just past the prime of life, a fine type of the robust English gentleman... with the air of a man fully aware of his own importance.
William was created a baronet in 1895.
He died in 1910 aged 85.
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