William A. Wheeler studied law and practiced in Malone, New York, after attending Franklin Academy and the University of Vermont. He held various political positions, including District Attorney of Franklin County and a member of the New York State Senate. Wheeler earned honorary degrees from Dartmouth College and the University of Vermont, reflecting his academic engagement. He served in the United States Congress, where he chaired significant committees and played a pivotal role in legislative compromises. Wheeler's career highlights include his opposition to the Salary Grab Act and his involvement in the Wheeler Compromise, which marked the end of Reconstruction in Louisiana.

William A. Wheeler's political identity is marked by a blend of principled integrity and strategic pragmatism. His decision to vote against the Salary Grab Act and return his salary increase underscores a commitment to fiscal restraint and personal ethics. His role in the Wheeler Compromise reveals a calculated approach to ending Reconstruction, balancing regional interests with national policy. Wheeler's advocacy for racial equality during the New York State Constitutional Convention highlights an unexpected progressive stance on civil rights within a traditionally conservative framework.