James Leonard Williams [also known as Leonard Williams] was born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia in 1864. He was articled to Fairfax Blomfield Wade in London, England from 1882 to 1887 and subsequently worked as his assistant,
Williams was in practice as an independent architect from 1897. During the 1900s he was in partnership with Victor Tylston Hodgson (1875-1929)* in the London-based architectural firm Williams & Hodgson. Williams was elected a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (FRIBA) in 1907.
His address was given as 6 Staples Inn, Holborn Bars, London (1897-98); 3 Staples Inn, Holborn Bars, London (1906); 8 Carmalite Gardens, Putney, London (, 1905,1906); and 37 Great James Street, Bedford Row, London (1914). He died in Harpenden, Hertfordshire on 3 May 1927.
* Note: the evidence that Victor Tylston Hodgson was the second partner is circumstantial. In 1911 his practice was located a 6 Gray's Inn Square, Holborn, London which is very close to 3 Staple Inn, Holborn where Williams is known to have had an office
Buildings designed by Williams included the Royal School of Needlework in London (1903); The Pound House in Totteridge, London (1907); and All Saints Catholic Church in Oxted, Surrey (1914-28).
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