His parents died when he was young and he was left in early life to the charge of Trinity College, Dublin, by an aunt who left her property to the college with the condition that it should provide for his education and advancement in life.
His ordination by the Archbishop of Cashel in 1735 and the increase of the annuity which he received from Trinity College from £70 to £100 in 1736 were both due to Swift's intercession, which caused his marriage and other imprudent acts to be overlooked.
In 1739 Swift made a strenuous attempt to procure the living of Coleraine for him, but in this, he was not successful.
Swift, writing of the "Vindication of the Libel", says "that poem was, I know, written by my very worthy friend Dr. Dunkin, with whom I have spent many a jovial evening; he was a man of genuine true wit and a delightful companion."
Excerpt from 'The Poet's Prayer' | William Dunkin IF e'er in thy sight I found favour, Apollo, Defend me from all the disasters which follow: From the knaves and the fools, and the fops of the time, From the drudges in prose, and the triflers in rhyme: From the patch-work and toils of the royal sack-bibber, Those dead birth-day odes, and the farces of CIBBER: From servile attendance on men in high places, Their worships, and honours, and lordships, and graces; From long dedications to patrons unworthy, Who hear and receive, but will do nothing for thee: From being caress'd to be left in the lurch, The tool of a party, in state or in church: From dull thinking blockheads, as sober as Turks, And petulant bards who repeat their own works: From all the gay things of a drawing-room show, The sight of a Belle, and the smell of a Beau: From busy back-biters, and tatlers, and carpers, And scurvy acquaintance of fidlers and sharpers: ...