William Hunter Johnston was the Founding First Principal of the Chapter.
He was born 4 August 1856 to John and Margaret Hunter Johnston. His father was a manufacturer in North London and lived in Hampstead.
He was an OMT, leaving the School in 1873, and went into manufacturing, becoming the London Manager for Laidlaw & Sons.
He was a member of the Lodge, and was exalted into Guildhall School of Music Chapter No 2454, along with fellow Chapter Founders Burnege and Pitts.