Born: May 23, 1831, Stockbridge, Vermont.
Died: January 13, 1902, Boston, Massachusetts.
Brother of Henry Perkins, William attended the Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, New Hampshire, then studied music in Boston, Massachusetts; London; and Milan, Italy. Settling in Boston, he founded a music academy and published a number of hymnals. Hamilton College awarded him an honorary doctorate of music degree in 1879. He lived in Boston 1857-84, then moved to New York City. Source : Wikipedia