Born in Holloway, north of London, Williams grew up in various workhouses.

[2] It was later revealed that the SDF candidacies at the election had been paid for by Maltman Barry, a Conservative Party agent who hoped they would split the "progressive" vote.

[2] Williams was elected to the executive council of the SDF on several occasions (in 1884, 1895, and 1896), but devoted much of his time to organising unemployed workers and making speeches on street corners.

[1] Williams stood for parliament a second time at the 1906 general election in Northampton.

[4] His health deteriorated, in part due to his earlier prison sentences, and he died in 1917.