William Skinner of Corra WS FRSE DL JP (1823–1901) was a 19th-century Scottish lawyer and author. He was Town Clerk of Edinburgh from 1874 to 1895.The Seekers of Truth: The Scottish Founders of Modern Public Accountancy by Gary Previts and Robert Bricker

Life He was born on 26 July 1823, the son of John Robert Skinner WS and his wife, Ann Black. The family lived at 3 Roxburgh Place in Edinburgh's South side.Edinburgh Post Office Directory 1823

William was educated at Edinburgh Academy. He was then apprenticed as a lawyer to John Hunter WS at 47 George Street in Edinburgh's New Town.Edinburgh Post Office Directory 1840

In 1848, he qualified as a Writer to the Signet and joined his father at 2 Elder Street.Edinburgh Post Office Directory 1848

In 1852, he set up his own practice at 12 Forth Street in the New Town.Edinburgh Post Office Directory 1852

From 1874, he served as Town Clerk for Edinburgh, serving consecutively the Lord Provosts: Sir James Falshaw, Sir Thomas Jamieson Boyd, Sir George Harrison, Sir Thomas Clark, Sir John Boyd of Maxpoffle, Sir James Alexander Russell and Sir Andrew McDonald.Lord Provosts of Edinburgh

In 1876, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. His proposers were Philip Kelland, John Hutton Balfour, Robert Christison, and Arthur Mitchell.

On 31 August 1877, he wrote to Ulysses S. Grant to confer upon him the Freedom of the City of Edinburgh (in his capacity as Town Clerk).The Papers of Ulysses S Grant November 1876 to September 1878

He died at 35 George Square on 4 May 1901.Edinburgh Post Office Directory 1901

Family In 1850, he married Johann (Ann) Farish Kirk (d.1866) daughter of Robert Kirk of Drumstinchnell. They were parents to the eminent accountant William Henry Kirk Skinner (WHKS) and at least three other sons.The Development of the American Public Accounting Profession: T A Lee

In 1880, he married Charlotte Eremengarde Warren (d.1931) of Market Drayton.

His brother Hercules Skinner was a Captain in the East India Company in Bengal.

Publications Edinburgh Municipal and Police Act 1879

References