William Campbell Preston, an American statesman, born in Philadelphia, Dec. 27, 1794, died in Columbia, S. C, May 22, 1860. He was of a Virginia family, and was born while his father was a member of congress in Philadelphia. He graduated at the state college in Columbia, S. C., in 1812, returned to Virginia, and commenced the study of the law, but after a few months was compelled to travel for the benefit of his health. After an extensive tour through the valley of the Mississippi, he visited Europe, where he remained several years, and at the university of Edinburgh attended the lectures of Professors Plavfair and Brown. In 1819 he returned to Virginia, and in 1820 was admitted to the bar. Two years afterward he settled at Columbia, S. C, and soon gained a reputation as a public speaker. In 1828, and again in 1830-'32, he was returned to the state legislature, and became one of the leaders of the nullification party. In 1836 he was elected to the United States senate; but differing with his colleague, Mr. Calhoun, and his constituents in regard to the support which they gave to Mr. Van Buren, he resigned his seat and resumed the practice of the law.

He was president of the South Carolina college from 1845 to 1851, and soon after established the Columbia lyceum, which he endowed with his library of 3,000 volumes. He published a eulogy of Hugh S. Legare in 1843.