The Dictionary of Australasian Biography/Piddington, Hon. William Richman
Piddington, Hon. William Richman, M.L.C., was born in London in 1815, and was brought up to the book trade. He emigrated to New South Wales in 1838, and after farming on the Hunter, pursued his original vocation with great success in Sydney. He took a prominent part in opposing transportation in 1848, and when responsible government was inaugurated, in 1856, he was returned to the Legislative Assembly for the Northumberland and Hunter district. He subsequently represented the Hawkesbury, but lost his seat in 1877. He joined the first Parkes Government in May 1872, but ill-health compelled him to resign in the following December. He was Colonial Treasurer in the second Parkes Ministry, from March to August 1877, and two months later was thrown out of Parliament at the general election. He was subsequently appointed to the Legislative Council. Mr. Piddington died on Nov. 25th, 1887.