William Killen was born in Ballymena, County Antrim, and was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution. In 1829 he was ordained Presbyterian minister of Raphoe, County Donegal, and was appointed Professor of Church History in the Presbyterian College, Belfast, a post which he held for forty-eight years. In 1869 he became President of the college. The University of Glasgow gave him two doctorates. Among other works, he published Reminiscences of a Long Life; The Ecclesiastical History of Ireland in two volumes and History of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, in three volumes, a work begun by J. S. Reid, which he completed.

Born:	5 April 1806
Died:	10 January 1902