William John Biffen was born in Bridgwater, Somerset, 3 November 1930, the son of Victor William Biffen and Edith Annie (Tish) Biffen (née Bennett). Biffen was educated at Dr Morgan's School, Bridgwater and then Jesus College, Cambridge. During this time Biffen was chairman of Cambridge University Conservation Association. Before attending Jesus College, Biffen served for two years as a clerk in the Royal Engineers, in which he reached the rank of lance-corporal. He married Sarah Wood (née Drew) in 1979 and had one step-son and one step-daughter.

Upon finishing his degree Biffen worked for Tube Investments Ltd from 1953-1960, this was followed by a brief stint at Economist Intelligence Unit from 1960-1961. Biffen was elected as MP for Oswestry (renamed Shropshire North in 1983) in a by-election in November 1961, a seat which he held until his retirement from the House of Commons in 1997.

His political career included the following posts: Opposition Spokesman on Energy, 1976; Opposition Spokesman on Industry, 1976-1977; Opposition Spokesman on Small Business 1978-1979; Chief Secretary to the Treasury, 1979-1981; Secretary of State for Trade, 1981-1982; Lord President of the Council, 1982-1983; Leader of House of Commons, 1982-1987 and Lord Privy Seal, 1983-1987. He was made a life peer in 1997.

Biffen served as director of the following companies: Glynwed International, 1987-2000; J. Bibby & Sons, 1988-1997; Rockware Group, 1988-1991; and Barlow International, 1998-2000.

Alongside these various roles, from 1994-2002 Biffen was a trustee of the London Clinic, and he also served as Deputy Lieutenant for Shropshire in 1993.

He died in Shrewsbury on 14 August 2007.

His publications include: Inside the House of Commons, 1989; and Inside Westminster, 1996