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William Cubitt (1791-1863) was the brother of Thomas Cubitt (1788-1855) who founded the building firm which constructed the London Institute, Finsbury Circus and developed much of Belgravia, Bloomsbury, Pimlico and Clapham Park; Thomas also remodelled Osborne House and built the east front of Buckingham Palace. His younger brother was Lewis Cubitt (1799-1883), the architect, whose best known building is Kings Cross Station.

William was a partner in Thomas's building firm but in about 1827 to set up his own firm, concentrating on civil engineering contracting. The reasons for the split are not clear. William could have been concerned about the high risks of speculative building, or it may have been that Thomas's style was too autocratic, and William wanted to be more involved in policy decisions. He built much of the southern section of the London & Birmingham Railway, including the sections from Boxmoor to Tring and Euston to Camden, the portico and the original station buildings at Euston, and Camden engine shed. Other contracts included the new Fishmongers' Hall (1831-33), repairs to Westminster Bridge (1838-44) and rebuilding the Stock Exchange (1853). He was also responsible for the reclaiming and development of Cubitt Town in the Isle of Dogs. He retired completely from the firm in 1854.

William was Sheriff of London in 1847 and Lord Mayor in 1860/61 & 1861/62; MP for Andover from 1847 to 1861 and in 1862; and Prime Master of the Fishmongers' Company.