Frederick Ballard Williams was born on October 21, 1871, in Brooklyn, New York.
He died on December 11, 1956, in Glen Ridge, New Jersey.

He studied under American artist John Ward Stimson
(1850 – 1930) and also attended Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York City, and the New York Institute of Artists and Artisans. After his studies Williams travelled abroad and taught art. He eventually returned to the United States and settled in Glen Ridge, New Jersey.

Frederick Ballard Williams was chiefly known for his Fête Galante paintings, reminiscent of 18th century French artist Jean-Antoine Watteau. Fête galante is French for courtship party. The theme presents elegantly attired aristocrats in joyful outdoor gatherings.

In 1910, he travelled to the American southwest exploring the vast landscapes and the Grand Canyon. From these visits he created body of work depicting magnificent vistas of the west.

His professional memberships included but are not necessarily limited to the following:
American Artists Professional League, New York City, NY (served as chairman)
Arts Council of the City of New York, NY
Municipal Art Commission of the City of New York, NY
National Academy of Design, New York City, NY (served as treasurer)
Salmagundi Club, New York City, NY

The art of Frederick Ballard Williams is or has been exhibited in museums, galleries, fairs, and with online independent art dealers including but not necessarily limited to the following:
Albright Gallery, Buffalo, NY
American Art Society, (Silver Medal, 1902)
Brooklyn Institute Museum, New York City, NY
Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, PA
Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, IL
City Art Museum, St. Louis, MO
Hackley Art Gallery, Muskegon, MI
Hickory Museum of Art, Hickory, NC
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, CA
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, NY
Milwaukee Art Institute, Milwaukee, WI
Montclair Art Museum, Montclair, NJ
Mulvane Art Museum, Topeka, KS
Musée d’Orsay, Paris, France
National Academy of Design, New York City, NY (Gold Medal, 1909)
National Gallery, Washington, DC
New Hampshire Antique Co-op, Milford, NH
Pan-American Exposition, Buffalo, NY
Red Ruby Treasures, Marietta, GA
Sheldon Swope Art Museum, Terre Haute, IN
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, DC
Vintage Rotty, Pasadena, CA