Williams born in London about 1787, was admitted a pensioner of Trinity College, Cambridge, on 27 June 1804, graduating in 1810 as M.B.
Williams died at his house in Lower Bedford Place on 24 November 1845.
He occupied himself for many years in an attempt to ascertain the virtues and properties of the drugs then in common use, for he was engaged throughout his life in seeking for specific remedies to cure disease.
In the course of these inquiries he discovered the curative power of iodide of potassium in the later stages of syphilis.
He also introduced bromide of potassium into English practice, though he did not employ it in the treatment of epilepsy.