Description:William James Lancaster was born in Birmingham on the 9th of April, 1846. His love of science is an hereditary possession, for not only his father but his forefathers for several generations were also distinguished as opticians for the scientific excellency of their productions. His father, James Lancaster, acquired a very high reputation for the superiority of his spectacles and other optical works. At an early age the boy was sent to the Edward branch of the then Free Grammar School of Edward VI, where he received his school education. When he left school he adopted his father’s trade. He joined the societies in which scientific instruction was given and in 1865 became a member of the classes of the Midland Institute, carrying away honours and prizes for proficiency in his knowledge of Acoustics, Light and Heat, Magnetism and Electricity, advanced Chemistry, Physiology, Physics. In 1869 he received what may be called the first public recognition of his qualities. In that year he was by the Science and Art Department selected as a teacher to attend a course of lectures at South Kensington; and also another course at the Royal School of Mines, Jermyn Street.
He is a Vice-President of the Birmingham Sunday Lecture Society . Mr Lancaster has also taken his full share in the public life of the City. In 1884, he fought his first municipal battle by contesting St. Stephen’s Ward against Mr J. S Pritchett, and was victorious . He has served on the Improvement Committee, on the Health Committee, on the Lunatic Asylums, the General Purposes Committee, on the Electric Lighting Sub-Committee and has been and is the Chairman of the Industrial Schools Committee. In the work of the last-named committee his services have been of especial importance. Mr Lancaster is a honorary member of the East Worcestershire and South Staffordshire Institute of Mining Engineers.
He is President of St. Stephen’s Liberal Association and Treasurer of the North Divisional Council. At the General Election of 1892, he opposed Mr Powell Williams as the Liberal Candidate for the Southern Division of the City, he succeeded in obtaining no fewer than 2,270 votes.
In the same year, 1892, the present Lord Chancellor (Lord Herschel) added his name to the list of Magistrates for the City. He is now Councillor W. J Lancaster, J.P.