In the latter part of the seventeenth century Williams, a Welshman and notable preacher though without formal education, became pastor of the Presbyterian chapel in Hand Alley, London. After the death of Richard Baxter, he was recognized as the Presbyterian leader in the city. Through the money acquired by marrying two well-to-do wives (at different times) he founded a theological library that today consists of over 110,000 volumes. The library, located on Gordon Square near the University of London, is open to qualified research scholars.