William H. Jackson Jr. ’54

Bill died March 24, 2023. 

He prepared at Millbrook School, where he was active in hockey, tennis, and glee club. 

At Princeton, he majored in English in the American Civilization Program, writing his senior thesis on Sinclair Lewis. He joined Charter Club and was active in the Nassau Lit and the Press Club.

After two years of service in the Army, Bill married Charlotte Wyman Coe in 1958, joined the foreign service in 1961, and earned a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in international affairs at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in 1963.

In addition to his career as a foreign service officer, he was a professor, teacher, cab driver, government contractor, and antiquarian bookseller. He was devoted to local chapters of the New Hampshire and Massachusetts Democratic parties, the Bethesda Co-Op, the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, and the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church.

Bill loved family, progressive politics, and gardening. He enjoyed walking in the woods, taking photographs, camping, and discussing art or current events. He was fond of Labradors and blueberry pie.

Bill was predeceased by his wife, Charlotte; and brothers Lyman and Thomas. He is survived by his children, William III and Isabella; grandchildren Hannah, Ian, and Lucy; and brothers Richard, Bruce, and Howell.