Edwin Wilson
Born
Edwin Graves Wilson

(1923-02-01) February 1, 1923
Leaksville, North Carolina, U.S.
EducationWake Forest University, Harvard University
OccupationRetired English literary professor
Known forProfessor and administrator at Wake Forest University (1951–1993)
SpouseEmily Herring
Children3

Edwin Graves Wilson (born February 1, 1923)[1] is an American retired professor of English literature at Wake Forest University. His professional academic and administrative tenure at Wake Forest spanned from 1951 until his retirement in 1993.

Wilson is referred to affectionately by members of the Wake Forest community as "Mr. Wake Forest."[2][1] He is a 1943 graduate of Wake Forest with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.

Wilson was born in Leaksville, North Carolina. He graduated from Wake Forest and later served as a U.S. Navy officer in World War II. After his service, he earned a master's degree and a doctorate, both in English, from Harvard University.[2] In 1951, he began teaching English at Wake Forest, where he spent his entire career. His specialty was the Romantic poets - William Wordsworth, Lord Byron, and others, often performing poetic recitations.

In addition to his academic work, Wilson acted in succession as Assistant Dean of the undergraduate College, acting Dean of the College, Dean of the College, Provost (the University's first), Vice President for special projects, and Senior Vice President. His longest-held administrative position was Provost, his role on campus from 1967 until 1990.[2][3] Wilson also has been active in intercollegiate athletics and is professed lover of ACC men's basketball. He served as Wake Forest's representative to the National Collegiate Athletic Association and to the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), as well as president of the ACC.[4] In 1992, prior to his retirement, the university named the new wing of the Z. Smith Reynolds Library in his honor.

Outside the university, Wilson has served on a number of arts-related organizations' boards, including the Piedmont Opera Theatre, the Winston-Salem Arts Council, the North Carolina Arts Council, and Reynolda House Museum of American Art.[2] He has also served on the board of trustees at Winston-Salem State University and is a 2002 recipient of the North Carolina Award for Public Service.[2][5]

Personal life

Wilson is married to Emily Louise Herring, a professor and poet. They have three children.

Wilson turned 100 on February 1, 2023.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 "Dr. Ed Wilson, 'Mr. Wake Forest'". Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections & Archives. 16 October 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 McConnico, Jacob (2004-02-19). "Edwin G. Wilson receives highest honor at WFU Convocation". Wake Forest University News Center. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-07-02.
  3. ↑ ""Office of the Provost. Edwin Graves Wilson Records (RG22.1.1)"". Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  4. ↑ "Edwin Graves Wilson to Receive Humanities Council's Top Honor | North Carolina Humanities Council". nchumanities.org. Retrieved 2016-08-16.
  5. ↑ Green, Marcus. "Community Milestones". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved 2016-08-16.
  6. ↑ Ford, David. "Beloved professor Ed "Mr. Wake Forest" Wilson turns 100". WFDD. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
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