[1] His older brother was the priest and animal rights and vegetarianism activist Henry John Williams.

[2][3] Williams was home educated by private tutors,[4] before pursuing a degree in history at St John's College, Cambridge, where he earned a BA in 1860 and an MA in 1863.

[1] It traces the evolution of witchcraft beliefs from ancient traditions to tools of persecution in medieval Europe, highlighting their decline with Enlightenment rationalism.

[7][8] He remained on the board for several years and authored the "Pioneers of humanity" section for the league's journal, which was later published as a popular pamphlet.

[4] In his later years, Williams chose a more secluded lifestyle, dedicating his time to gardening, tutoring, and canoeing from his home in Aspley Guise, near Woburn, Bedfordshire.