William Joseph Newton was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, England in 1854 and was articled to G. B. Smith in Bradford. He commenced practice in 1880 and subsequently served as architect to the Accrington Education Authority and Corporation, a post he held at least until the late 1920s. He became a Member of the Society of Architects (MSA) in 1884 and by 1923 had been elected a Fellow of the Society of Architects (F.S.Arc.). He was also admitted a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (FRIBA) in 1925. His address was given as "Pendlehurst", Burnley Road, Accrington, Yorkshire in 1914 and 1933. He died on 4 March 1933.
Peel Park Schools for 1200 scholars; Carnegie Public Library; public baths and laundry; electricity buildings, &c.; tramway depots; public abattoirs; Corporation depot, stables, shops, Ac.; Laying-out of three Public Parks; extensions to markets, &c.; and other works of a public character
Directory of British Architects 1834-1914. Compiled by Antonia Brodie, et al. Volume 2: L-Z. London; New York: British Architectural Library, Royal Institute of British Architects/Continuum, 2001