William Walker (New South Wales politician)

Walker was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and arrived in Sydney with his parents in 1837.[1] His father was a Presbyterian school teacher who had been recruited by Rev J D Lang and opened a school at Windsor. He was admitted as a solicitor in 1852 and practised at Windsor until his death in 1908.[2]

He was member of the Anti-Transportation League who had campaigned for John Darvall at the 1856 election for Cumberland North Riding and for Thomas Smith at the 1857 Cumberland North Riding by-election.[2] He was elected as member for Windsor in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly at the 1860 by-election, holding the seat in 1860 and 1864, before being defeated at the 1869 election.[3] In parliament he was a strong supporter of James Martin and his biography attributes his defeat to his support for Martin's land legislation which was unpopular with his squatting friends.[2]

He contested the seat in 1872, 1874 and at the 1880 by-election but was unsuccessful.[3] He also contested the 1872 election for Narellan, but achieved less than 1% of the vote.[4]

On 8 February 1888 Walker was appointed to the New South Wales Legislative Council, serving until his death at Windsor on 12 June 1908(1908-06-12) (aged 80).[1]