{{Infobox rai-fellow

| first_name = William

=== House Notes ===

=== Notes From Elsewhere ===

b. 1847, d. 20 May 1930<br />William Greatheed was born in 1847 in Norwood, London, England, although his birth was registered in Abergavenny.1,2 He was the son of Samuel Stephenson Greatheed and Margaret Stephenson.1 He was baptised on 24 February 1848 in All Saints with St Margarets, Upper Norwood, London, England, His father was a clerk.31 In the census of 30 March 1851 at 39 King William Street, St Margaret in the Martyrs, London, England, Francis and William were listed as visitors of Alexander McCaul and his family.4 William entered Tonbridge School in 1858, leaving in 1864. He then went onto Blackheath Propriety School.5 In the census of 7 April 1861 in Eton House, London Road, Tonbridge, Kent, England, he was listed as the son of Samuel Stephenson Greatheed William was a scholar.6 In the census of 2 April 1871 in 58 Guilford Street, Bloomsbury, London, England, he was listed as the lodger along with his mother. He was an articled clerk at law.7 In 1872 William had an illigitimate son with a lady called Elizabeth Tennent. His son was born under the name of Walter George Gaston.8 He passed his Matric in London University and was admitted a Solicitor in 1873. After being a managing clerk for seven years, he gave up the Law, in order to study at Mason's Science College Bimingham. He wrote various articles in magazines and was a Naval Artillery Volunteer.5 In the census of 3 April 1881 in 33 St Julians Friars, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England, he was listed as a boarder William was a solictor.9 William's father Samuel died on 19 January 1887. He received probate with his mother Margaret and brother Francis.10 William was listed as a photographic journalist 1888 - 1893 and civil engineer 1892 - 1909 at 67-69 Chancery Lane.11,12 In the census of 5 April 1891 in 69 and 67 Chancery Lane, Holborn, London, England, he was listed as a boarder William was a retired solicitor living by his own means.13 William's mother died on 10 January 1900. He, together with his brothers Francis and Christopher received probate in London on 10 February 1900. William was listed as a gentleman.10 William was listed as head of household in the census of 31 March 1901 in 65-66 Chancery Lane, Holborn, London, England, William was living by his own means.14 William and Christopher received administration on their brother Francis effects on 16 March 1905 in London. Christopher was retired from the Indian forest service and William was a retired solicitor.10 Dorothea's administration was issued to her brothers Christopher of the Indian Civil Service retired and William listed as a gentleman. Her effects were valued at £15.523 12s 11d and the resworn as £13,737 15s 2d.15 William was listed as head of household in the census of 2 April 1911 in 67 Chancery Lane, Holborn, London, England, William was a gentleman of private means who stated in early life for a few years he had been a solictor. He was living alone in a two roomed home.16 He died on 20 May 1930 in 4 Kings Road, St Pancras, London, England, His usual address was 67 Chancery Lane, Holborn, Middlesex.10,17,8 William was buried on 20 May 1930 in West Norwood Cemetery and Crematorium, West Norwood, London, England, plot 37025. The inscription on the gravestone read: In loving memory of William Greatheed son of the late Rev. Samuel Greatheed of Corringham Rectory, Stanford-le-Hope, who passed away 20th May 1930 aged 82 years. Until the day break and the shadows flee away. Thy will be done. Also Doris May beloved daughter of Walter and Mary Tennant, William's grandaughter.18 The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser of 19 January 1931, Page 6 reported his death and that The Treasury Solicitor was advertising for claimants to his estate. William was described as someone who rarely spoke to anyone and according to the caretaker of the flats where he lived he never had any friends or visitors. Apparently William was extremely particular about his food and would give instructions on how it should be cooked. He never spoke about his past life, although he once mentioned that in his early days he was articled to a firm of solicitors in Lincoln's Inn. Every morning he would leave his flat, returning in the evening, but no one knew where he went. He became seriously ill in early 1930 and was removed to hospital, where he died.19 William did not leave a will. Administration papers were issued on 28 May 1931 in London to H M Treasury Solicitor. His effects were valued at £9,559 3s 1d.10<br /><br />* Listed in 1901 Census and family website as Greathead. Born Norwood, Surrey; died London. First a solicitor, then a managing clerk, then photo-journalist, Naval Artillery volunteer. Finally he was a civil engineer from 1892 to 1909 at 67-69 Chancery Lane. (NB the website source is slightly confused).<br /><br />