William Burton holds a medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania's Medical School and practiced medicine in Delaware. He transitioned from the medical field to a political career, initially aligning with the Whig Party before switching to the Democratic Party. Burton served as the Sheriff of Kent County and ran for governor, eventually winning the office in 1858. During his tenure as governor, he navigated the complexities of the Civil War, initially opposing abolition but later supporting the Union cause and managing state resources to contribute to the war effort.

William Burton's political identity is marked by a complex interplay between his pro-slavery stance and pragmatic wartime decisions. Despite his initial opposition to abolition and recommendation for a secession convention, Burton shifted to a pro-Union position during the Civil War, balancing regional industrial interests with broader national allegiance. His rhetorical style oscillates between defending slavery and advocating for state interests, revealing a nuanced approach to governance that prioritizes local economic stability over rigid ideological consistency.