Father of Thomas William Wilkinson, nephew and son-in-law of Thomas Perry.

Apprenticed to Thomas Perry.

Rice states that William Wilkinson entered into partnership with Perry in 1789, following his apprenticeship with him, and was married in 1794. This partnership was known as 'Perry & Wilkinson'. In the will of Thomas Perry (d. November 1818) Wilkinson was bequeathed 'all my stock in trade, musical instruments finished and unfinished, unwrought stuff and working implements' (Rice). After Perry's death, William Wilkinson continued to use the name 'Perry & Wilkinson'. Tighe notes that after Perry's death, 'there was a painful lowering of the standard'.

It is not certain if William Wilkinson was the Wilkinson who went into partnership with Corcoran (as 'Wilkinson & Corcoran') from 1836 until 1840.

William Wilkinson died in 1838 and was succeeded in business by Thomas William Wilkinson. He maintained the company name of 'William Wilkinson' until at least 1853.

[Addresses differ according to sources: the Dublin Directories give the 4 and 3 Essex Quay addresses. McGoogan and Teahan give 5 Rosanna Place and 5 Essex Quay. Boydell (Card Index) gives 150 Abbey Street in 1842 and 1 Aston's Quay from 1843 to 1847 citing Teahan, but Teahan does not list these addresses for Wilkinson. It is unlikely that the Wilkinson business was based at the Aston's Quay address as the Dublin Directories give William White at this address during 1843 and 1844. Teahan gives the address of 33 Wellington Quay for the violin maker 'Wilkinson' c. 1820, but as this address was also given in an 1853 advertisement in The Exhibition Expositor for 'W. Wilkinson' (i.e. the business run by Thomas William Wilkinson), it is likely that the Wilkinson business (William Wilkinson in 1820 and Thomas William Wilkinson in 1853) had another premises at this address.]