Reginald Murray (RM) Williams, founder of the brand, was born in 1908 on a farm in mid-north South Australia. From the age of 16, RM worked through more careers than there are stitches on his boots. Camel boy, drover, stockman, cattleman, well digger, bookmaker, miner, businessman, historian, author and leatherworker are just to name a few.

By 1932, the onset of the Great Depression found RM camped out in the Gammon Ranges of South Australia with his young family, barely making a living digging wells. During this time he met an itinerant saddler named Dollar Mick. A self-taught genius in leatherworking, Dollar Mick passed on his skills to the 24-year-old RM who made and sold his first pair of riding boots for 20 shillings.

RM exactly knew what men who were born in the saddle wanted when it came to footwear. With boot sales to the first unknown buyer and cattle king, Sir Sidney Kidman, under his belt, RM set up the beginnings of his first factory in 1932 in an iron woolshed behind his father’s house (now the R.M.Williams Outback Heritage Museum). Over the following decades, RM developed his business, diversifying into bush saddlery, equipment and the company’s trademark moleskins, jeans and bush shirts.

RM was the founder of Australia's Bicentennial National Trail - a 5,330 km route through Australian bush, wilderness and mountain areas. It is suitable for horse riders, walkers and mountain bike riders.

RM and his wife Erica together with Tom Quilty were the inspiration for the Tom Quilty Endurance Ride in 1966, which is held annually and is now an international event.

Nominated as a National Living Treasure by Prime Minister John Howard MP, Reginald Murray Williams was also chosen as Patron of 2002 Year of the Outback.

Reginald Murray Williams AO, CMG passed away on 4 November 2003 aged 95; a Queensland State funeral followed as the nation mourned the death of an Australian legend.