William Hull Botsford was born on November 23, 1886 in Binghamton, New York. His parents were William B. Botsford, a cabinetmaker, and Talitha Williams Botsford. He had two younger siblings: a sister, Talitha, who later became an artist, and a brother, Emory. Botsford grew up in Millport, New York, and graduated from Horseheads High School at age 16 in 1903. He was one of only eight students in his graduating class. After high school, Botsford worked for the architectural firm of Pierce and Bickford in Elmira, and later for a second firm based in Rochester. He then enrolled in the Cornell University College of Architecture, where he studied from 1907-1909. He did not graduate with a bachelor’s degree but completed a special course in architecture. He received a certificate for his completion of “two years of special work in the College of Architecture, as prescribed by the Faculty of that College,” dated June 17, 1909. While at Cornell, Botsford was noted for his drawing ability, illustrating the cover for the 1910 Cornellian. He was also a member of the Cornell varsity wrestling team in the lightweight class, competing and winning titles at the state and national level. During his time as a student, he was also involved with Ithaca Fire Company No. 9, known as “The Nines.”

After completing his studies at Cornell, Botsford worked for the Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad in their architectural and engineering department. He designed train stations in New York and New Jersey, including Elmira, Bath, Syracuse, Utica, Ithaca, New Village, Lake Hopatcong, Basking Ridge, Watessing, Bloomfield, Hoboken, and Montclair. In late 1911, he submitted his design for the Tunkhannock Viaduct, a railroad bridge outside of Nicholson, Pennsylvania.

In early 1912, Botsford’s employer sent him on a lengthy overseas trip to Egypt, Turkey, and Europe, to further his studies of architecture. Botsford purchased a second-class ticket for the RMS Titanic on its maiden voyage, sailing from Southampton, England on April 10. He died in the sinking on April 15, 1912.