Born in Bradford, England, William Riley initially worked in his father's textile business before leading a successful venture selling magic lantern slides and equipment. When World War I caused the business to fail in 1914, Riley transitioned to a full-time career as a writer, having already found unexpected success with his debut novel, Windyridge, published in 1912.
Riley wrote Windyridge during the winter of 1911 as a series of weekly chapters intended to comfort his grieving wife and friends. Set in the village of Hawksworth, the story was submitted to the novice publisher Herbert Jenkins, becoming the firm's very first publication. Over his career, Riley wrote 39 books under the name W. Riley, mostly works of fiction published by Jenkins.
In 1919, Riley relocated to Silverdale, Lancashire, naming his home after his famous debut novel. He remained active in the local community, serving as chair of the Building Committee for the Gaskell Memorial Hall and participating in the Silverdale Methodist Church. He published his autobiography, Sunset Reflections, in 1957, reflecting on his life and career. Riley passed away in 1961, leaving behind a legacy preserved in archives at the University of Bradford and Leeds Central Library.
