Venn: Adm. sizar at JESUS, Dec. 29, 1775. [4th s. of Christopher, R. of Thorp Arch, Yorks. B. there Apr. 14, 1758.] ' Matric. Michs. 1776; B.A. 1780; M.A. 1783. Fellow, 1782-91. Ord. deacon (York) July 22, 1781; priest, July 7, 1782. Lecturer at the Parish Church, Bradford, 1784. (His appointment to the Lectureship led to a violent controversy, for particulars of which see the Yorkshire Genealogist, 1888, I.) R. of All Saints', Warham, Norfolk, 1792-1845. P.C. of Thornton, near Bradford, 1799-1801. Married Mary, dau. of John Cottam, Esq., July 5, 1791. Familiarly called ‘Parson Atkinson.’ A man of rare scholarly attainment, but of somewhat eccentric character; kept a printing press in his home, and issued pamphlets and broadsheets on ecclesiastical and political topics. Author, Poetical Essays, etc. Died Sept. 30, 1846, at Thorp Arch, aged 88. Brother of Christopher (1773), etc.; father of John W. (1819), Charles W. (1813), Johnson M. C. (1829) and Joseph M. (1819). (Yorks. Bibliographer; D.N.B.)
| Year | Type | Name as Recorded | Location | Office/Status | Full Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1781 | Appt(Licensing) | Atkinson, William | Naburn / | Curate | View |
| 1781 | Ordi(ordination) | Atkinson, William | / | deacon | View |
| 1782 | Ordi(ordination) | Atkinson, William | / | priest | View |
| 1782 | Appt(permitted to serve) | Atkinson, William | Methley / | Curate | View |
| 1782 | Appt(Institution) | Atkinson, William | Jesus College, Cambridge / | Fellow | View |
| 1786 | Appt(Licensing) | Atkinson, William | Bradford / | Lecturer | View |
| 1799 | Appt(Licensing) | Atkinson, William | Bradford / Thornton | Perpetual Curate | View |
| 1805 | Appt(Resignation) | Atkinson, William | Parish of Bradford / Thornton | Perpetual Curate | View |