William Campbell was born in Kelton in Kircudbrightshire and studied Arts at the University of Glasgow between 1876 and 1880, however he did not graduate. According to his matriculation records, he was aged 17 in his first year at the University and his father's name was John, a farmer.
- 1876-1877: Mathematics, Greek and Latin;
- 1877-1878: Latin, Greek;
- 1878-1879: Logic, Mathematics, English Literature;
- 1879-1880: Ethics, Physics.
From the guide to the Papers of William Campbell, b 1859, University student, University of Glasgow, Scotland, 1879-1880, (Glasgow University Archive Services)