Constituency : Leeds South 1908-22
William took over from the deceased John Walton at Leeds South. He was apparently selected due to his commitment to fund the local Liberal Association. He held onto the seat narrowly with the Toires overtaking Labour for second place. He was the last new Liberal of Campbell-Bannerman's premiership.
William was educated at Huddersfield College. He became a solicitor and had a large practice in Leeds. He was a Methodist and in 1893 became Treasurer of the Methodist General Chapel Committee.He sat on Morley Town Council and was Mayor of Morley in 1896 and 1904.
William was comfortably re-elected in both 1910 elections. He was Mayor of Leeds in 1910-11 and oversaw the expansion of the Royal Infirmary.
William was chair of the Local Legislation Committee of the Commons from 1913 to 1922.
William was knighted in 1916.
William received the coupon in 1918 and easily defeated Labour. He was appointed to a select committee looking at gas prices. He also headed an inquiry into firefighter's conditions in 1920.
William was defeated in a straight fight with Labour in 1922.
William sat on a Royal Commisssion on Local Government set up in 1928.
William was created a baronet in 1930.
He died in 1936 aged 85.
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