Linton collected botanical specimens and records, often working with his elder brother who was also a cleric. (Rev. Edward Francis Linton was based mainly in Edmondsham in Dorset). In 1890 W.R.Linton published a short article in the Journal of Botany describing a new species of hawkweed (Hieracium holophyllum) found in Derbyshire.[4] In 1892 he and his brother published a short eight page guide called Some Scottish Willows which they followed two years later with Set of British Willows.[5]