William Savin Fulton was born in Cecil County, Maryland. Was a graduate of Baltimore College in 1813.
At the outbreak of the War of 1812 he enlisted in a company of volunteers at Fort McHenry. He was admitted to the bar in 1817 and practiced law at Gallatin, Tennessee. He was military secretary to General Andrew Jackson during the First Seminole War in 1818. In 1820 he settled in Florence, Alabama and became county judge in 1822.
Served as Secretary of Arkansas Territory from 1829 to 1835. Was appointed Governor of Arkansas Territory and served from 1835 to 1836 when Arkansas was admitted to the Union. Served as United States Senator from 1836 until his death in 1844.
William Savin Fulton died in Little Rock, Arkansas. He is buried at the historic Mount Holly Cemetery in Little Rock.
Fulton County, Arkansas is named for William Savin Fulton.