William Ivison Macadam was born on January 27, 1856, in Edinburg, Scotland, the son of Dr. Stevenson Macadam (1829-1901), a scientist.

He was a Scottish scientist (analytical chemist), academic author, and antiquarian. He was educated at the Royal High School, Edinburgh Collegiate School, and at Heidelberg University, Germany. Like his father, he became a Lecturer in Chemistry, teaching medical students at the University of Edinburgh, the Royal College of Surgeons, and veterinary students at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. He was also an officer in the 1st Lothian Volunteer Infantry Brigade, rising to the rank of Colonel and commander of the 2nd Scottish Volunteer Coronation Battalion in 1902. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (1888) and was also a leading freemason. His son was Sir Ivison Macadam (1894-1974), the first Director-General of the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House) and the founding President of the National Union of Students.

In 1879, he married Sarah Mcconnichie MacDonald (1855-1941). He died on June 24, 1902, in Edinburg, Scotland. He was shot dead by a deranged employee in his laboratory in Surgeons' Hall, along with one of his students.