William Dudley was a merchant and jeweller with premises in St. Paul's Square in the Jewellery Quarter in Hockley, Birmingham. In 1875, a year before his death, he founded William Dudley Trust with a gift of £100,000. He is buried in St. Paul's Church churchyard as is his son.

Grants and Bursaries
Grants and bursaries are awarded at the discretion of Trustees to published criteria. There are four main areas of benefit. In accordance with William Dudley’s wishes, the income secured from investments is applied in the following order of priority.

Bursaries to Postgraduate Students

Development Awards

William Dudley Trust Emergency Fund for Older People

Grants to Charities