William Walls

William Walls (2 August 1819 – 27 September 1893) was a Scottish lawyer, industrialist and Dean of Guild of Glasgow.

He is credited as helping to secure the post of Town Clerk for his fellow Orcadian Sir James David Marwick who was to largely influence and direct the lines of Glasgow's development in the second half of the 19th century.

Walls was instrumental in developing Loch Katrine as a reservoir to provide clean water for Glasgow's burgeoning population and, among other awards, was presented with a medal by the corporation and citizens in recognition of his services in 1859.

His company, William Walls & Co, played an instrumental role in the substantial growth of Glasgow as one of Britain's leading industrial cities and by the 1860s was a major local employer.

A caricature in The Bailie portrays Walls comforting a policeman seemingly overcome by the effects of smoke-inhalation, an image which is also strongly redolent of his power and influence as a leading industrialist and burgh councilor.