William was the son of the English landscape painter, Joseph Miller and most likely studied under him in England. In the winter of 1844, William immigrated to America and settled in New York City. He initially worked as a portraitist, but then began traveling across the Eastern U.S. to discover new landscape subjects. Throughout Miller’s prolific career, he completed landscapes in oils, watercolors, and pen and ink. He also produced a myriad of sketches as well as fruit still lifes. He exhibited at the National Academy of Design, the Brooklyn Art Association, and the American Art Union. His works are housed in the collections of the New York Historical Society.