A Unitarian nonconformist born in Derby, William Hutton went to school when five years old.

Aged seven years he was employed in a Derby Silk Mill on a seven-year apprenticeship.

In 1746, after his uncle had died, he taught himself bookbinding, and three years later opened a shop in Southwell, Nottinghamshire.

He published his History of Birmingham in 1782 and was also elected as Fellow of the Antiquarian Society of Scotland (F. A. S. S.).

There is a portrait of William Hutton by an unknown artist in Derby Museum and Art Gallery.