Originating from Scotland and classified as a painter of domestic subjects, William Eadie from St John's Wood, London came to St Ives in 1885 as a winter resident. Initially he had a studio made out of an old out-house, and he and his wife Annie EADIE lived at Halsetown. He exhibited three paintings at the Dowdeswell show of 1890 with the Cornish-associated painters, and a further three at Nottingham Castle in 1894.

Eadie was one of the Founder Members, with his wife, of the St Ives Arts Club. The panels of Twelve Apostles in St John's in the Fields Church, St Ives, were painted by him. He died in London and is buried at Highgate.