William Mitchell

William Mitchell KC (1872-22 February 1937) was a Scottish advocate and Liberal Party politician. He was Sheriff-substitute of Selkirkshire.

Background Mitchell was born in Keith, Banffshire, the son of George and Kathryn Mitchell. He was educated at Keith Grammar School and the Universities of Aberdeen, where he gained an MA and Edinburgh where he received an LLB. He was a Vans Dunlop Scholar in Scots Law and Conveyancing. He died at Galashiels on 22 February 1937.

Professional career Mitchell was Examiner for degrees in legal subjects at Aberdeen and Edinburgh Universities. In 1897 he was called to Scots bar. He was a supporter of David Lloyd George, Prime Minister of the Coalition Government. He ran against the sitting Liberal MP, who was an opposition Liberal, but failed to unseat him. In 1923 the two opposing Liberal factions re-united under the leadership of H. H. Asquith. Mitchell was Liberal candidate for the Peebles and Southern Midlothian division at the 1923 General Election. This was a Labour seat that the Liberals had lost in 1922, coming third. He was unable to improve on that position. Soon after, he was Liberal candidate for the Peebles and Southern Midlothian division at the 1924 General Election. Despite this election being a difficult one for the Liberal Party, he was able to marginally increase the Liberal vote. He was Liberal candidate for the Edinburgh North division at the 1929 General Election. The Liberals had won the seat in 1923 but finished third in 1924. Despite increasing the Liberal vote share, he was unable to improve on third place. He did not stand for parliament again.

Electoral record