William A. Wilson
Encyclopedia
William Albert Wilson was an American diplomat and businessman from Los Angeles
.
, where he earned a Bachelor of Science
degree in Mechanical Engineering
in 1936 and a Master of Science
degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1937 before marrying in 1938. They had two daughters. His wife died in 1996.
, he was appointed on 11 February 1981 as the personal representative of the United States President
to the Holy See
, when the United States still did not have full diplomatic relations with the Vatican
, and in 1984 as the first United States Ambassador to the Holy See
with the establishment of official relations.
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
.
Early years
His father was an engineer in the oil-tool business and his mother a Canadian. During World War II, he served as a captain in the Army Ordnance Corps.Marriage
Wilson met his wife, Elizabeth "Betty" Johnson, at Stanford UniversityStanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
, where he earned a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
in 1936 and a Master of Science
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1937 before marrying in 1938. They had two daughters. His wife died in 1996.
Diplomat
A close friend of President Ronald ReaganRonald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
, he was appointed on 11 February 1981 as the personal representative of the United States President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
to the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
, when the United States still did not have full diplomatic relations with the Vatican
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
, and in 1984 as the first United States Ambassador to the Holy See
United States Ambassador to the Holy See
A U.S. Ambassador serves as that country's official representative to the Holy See since formal diplomatic relations began in 1984. Before the establishment of official relations, Myron Taylor served during World War II as an emissary for President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 1951, President Harry S....
with the establishment of official relations.
External links
- William A. Wilson Papers Georgetown UniversityGeorgetown UniversityGeorgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
Libraries Special Collections - The Hon. William Wilson 1999 profile from Thomas Aquinas CollegeThomas Aquinas CollegeThomas Aquinas College is a Roman Catholic liberal arts college offering a single integrated academic program. It is located in Santa Paula, California north of Los Angeles. It offers a unique education with courses based on the Great Books and seminar method...
- Amb. William A. Wilson, Director profile from Commodore Applied Technologies, Inc.
- Carl Bernstein, The U.S. and The Vatican on Birth Control TimeTime (magazine)Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
, February 24, 1992