William Mellor was born in Barnsley in 1851, moving to Rusholme in 1887 and then to Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester in 1908.

His subjects were mainly landscapes and river scenes, often painted in his native Yorkshire, but also in North Wales and the West Country. He later worked in Ilkley, Scarborough and Harrogate, where he died in 1931.

His works were exhibited at various galleries throughout the North of England, notably the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool and the Manchester City Art Gallery. In the past his paintings have been confused with those of his son, E W Mellor who adopted a similar style.