On their father's death, William and his brother Christopher (who also served as Mayor of Leeds) took over the family business.
[1] Beckett was a Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) for the Yorkshire constituencies of Leeds (1841–1852) and Ripon (1852–1857).
[2][5] He changed seats because of a split in the party over Free Trade, causing him to withdraw as Leeds MP.
The estate comprised large house on a hill and an extensive private park.
[1] Beckett was an officer in the Yorkshire Hussars, a part-time Yeomanry Cavalry regiment, from September 1817 when he raised two Troops at Leeds and was commissioned as a captain, until he retired in 1859.