William Charley was born in Finaghy, County Antrim, and was educated in Oxford. After a career in law he became member of parliament for Salford from 1868 to 1880. He was made Queen's Counsel and knighted. In 1878 he was appointed Common Serjeant of the City of London, an appointment which he filled for the next fourteen years. He published many works on legal subjects.

Born:	5 March 1833
Died:	8 July 1904