William Charles (W. C.) Adamson was born in Bowdon, Georgia on August 13, 1854. He received a B.A. from Bowdon College in 1874 and was admitted to the Georgia state bar in 1876. Adamson then set up practice in Carrollton, Georgia where he served as a city court judge from 1885 to 1889.

Adamson was elected as a Democrat to the House of Representatives on March 4, 1897 and served until he resigned on December 18, 1917. On September 20, 1917, Adamson was nominated by President Wilson to serve on the Board of General Appraisers, which became known as the United States Customs Court in 1926. He continued to serve on this court until January 20, 1928 when he retired.

Following his appointments to the House of Representatives and the United States Customs Court, Adamson resumed his law practice in Carrollton. He died a year later on January 3, 1929 and the city honored him by naming their square, Adamson Square, after him.