William J. Tipping (1816–1897) was a respected amateur archaeologist. From 1839 he spent seven years in the Near East exploring and drawing ancient ruins. In addition to well known sites, such as the Parthenon, he visited others off the beaten track, like Jarash (now in Jordan) and Masada. Some of his drawings were published in Punch. In 1864 he was elected a member of the Society of Antiquaries.
He went on to become an English railway magnate and Conservative MP for Stockport. By 1876 he was director of thirteen railway companies, one of his responsibilities being to arrange the travel of the royal family.
