William Thompson Watkin (15 October 1836 – 23 March 1888) was a British archaeologist, interested in Roman Britain, particularly of the north of England.
Between 1871 and 1888 he wrote 123 books and articles, dealing mostly with the Roman occupation of Britain, in the north-west and in Yorkshire and Northumbria.
[1][2] From 1884 Watkin was a council member, and from 1885 honorary librarian, of the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, a Liverpool institution.
He was also an active member, and served on the council, of the Lancashire and Cheshire Antiquarian Society of Manchester, from its founding in 1883 until his death.
[1][2] Valuable unpublished notes on Roman remains in North Wales and in various English counties and other manuscripts were purchased by subscription after his death, and presented to Chetham's Library, Manchester.