Background
The fourth son of Sir Harcourt Lees, bart., he was born on 26 February 1825, and educated at Nut Grove and at Trinity College, Dublin, but took no degree.
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William Lees
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In 1857 Trinity College, Dublin conferred on him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws, and he was also a Doctor of Philosophy of Berlin.
Career
He was appointed to a Bengal cadetship in 1846, and was posted to the 42nd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry as ensign in March 1846. He became lieutenant in July 1853, captain in September 1858, major in June 1865, lieutenant-colonel in 1868, colonel in 1876, and major-general in 1885, having been placed on the supernumerary list in 1884. Lees was for some years principal of the Calcutta Madrasa, where he was also professor of law, logic, literature, and mathematics.
He was secretary to Fort William College, Persian translator to the government, and government examiner in Arabic, Persian, and Urdu for all branches of the service.
And for some years part proprietor of the Times of India. A conservative in politics, Lees twice sought to enter parliament, but without success.
He died at his residence in Grosvenor Street, London, on 9 March 1889, aged 64.
Membership
He became a member of the Royal Asiatic Society in 1872.
