John William Doyle was born in Glebe, Sydney, on 8 February 1875. He was the son of John and Catherine (or Annie?) Doyle. He was married to Mary Smith on 3 October 1906; they had seven children. He died on 25 May 1951 at Darlinghurst, Sydney. He was buried in the Catholic section of Rookwood cemetery with his wife Mary who died on 12 November 1948, aged 70.
John William Doyle was the President of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) in 1916-17. He was a foundation member of the Letterpress Machinists’ Union in 1901; he later became a publican. He was active in the friendly societies movement. He was the organising secretary of the Eight Hour Day Committee from c.1912 until 1917. In 1919, J W Doyle JP, MLA, was living at Barker Street in Lewisham. In 1930, he was residing at 116 Old Canterbury Road, Petersham.
Doyle was commissioned as a Justice of the Peace in 1912.
Doyle was a member of the Legislative Assembly for Phillip from 1917 to 1920, and for Balmain from 1920 to 1922.
John Doyle was Alderman for Phillip Ward, 2 December 1918 to 30 November 1921. He was a member of the Works Committee, 1919-20, the Electric Lighting Committee, 1919-20, the Electricity Supply Committee and the Health and By-Laws Committee in 1921.