Constituency : Aberdeen North 1885-96
William easily won the new seat of Aberdeen North.
William was the son of a granite merchant from Aberdeen. He was educated at Aberdeen grammar school and university. He became a barrister but was more of a law professor. In 1869 he was appointed professor of Roman law at University College, London and professor of jurisprudence from 1878 to 1882. He published Roman Law in the Order of a Code.
William was a radical. He suppported Scottish home rule and introduced a private members bill for it. He supported Charles Bradlaugh and was the first to advocate old age pensions. He was returned unopposed in 1886. In 1890 he carried a proposal for free elementary education in Scotland.
In 1892 William had a challenger from the ILP but many local trades unionists remained
loyal to William even though he was not prepared to back an eight hour day. The trades council decided not to back the ILP man who was soundly beaten.
William bemoaned the emasculation of the Crofter's Bill in 1886. He put down a motion to charge the costs of the military annexation of Burma to the India budget.
In 1896 William resigned his seat on health grounds.Her died two years later aged 54.
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