William Halksworth was an assistant clerk in the Colonial Office. He joined the serviceon
19 May 1828, and then served as private secretary to the undersecretary of state from
30 April 1831 to 30 September 1832 and again from 1 April 1837 to 31 December 1847.
He served as supernumerary clerk from 4 June to 29 August 1840, as assistant junior
clerk from 29 August 1840 to 31 March 1846, as junior clerk from 31 March 1846 to
31 March 1857, and as assistant clerk from 31 March 1857 to 24 October 1859. He then
accepted the post of librarian, remaining until his retirement on 1 July 1870.
Office-Holders, Colonial Office, p. 41; Colonial Office List 1864, p. 181.