William Leonard Dowton (1852- 5 November 1913) was a local politician and businessman in the Peckham area. Born in Sussex, he moved to Camberwell where he entered business as an oil and colour man. He subsequently became a manager of performing artists and owner of a music hall. A member of Camberwell Board of Guardians and Vestry, he represented the area on the Metropolitan Asylums Board. From 1907-1910 he was a Municipal Reform Party member of the London County Council representing Camberwell (Peckham).