William Lawson was an early Australian explorer and settler, born in 1774 in Scotland. He is best known for his role in the exploration of the Blue Mountains in New South Wales. In 1813, Lawson, along with fellow explorers Gregory Blaxland and William Charles Wentworth, successfully crossed the mountains, opening up new land for settlement and agriculture. Lawson's contributions to Australian exploration were significant, as his journey helped to expand European knowledge of the interior of Australia. He later became a prominent figure in the community, serving as a magistrate and landowner, and he played a role in the early development of the region.