William P. Maclean III ’65

BILL WAS BORN in Bainbridge, Md., attended L'ecole Française in Barcelona, and entered Princeton, in 1961, where he met his future wife, Ellen Gillespie. He earned his Ph.D. from the Univ. of Chicago in evolutionary biology.

in 1969 Bill became assistant professor at what is now the Univ. of the Virgin Islands, rising to the position of professor and chairman of the Dept. of Science and Mathematics and ultimately to V.P. for academic affairs.

Bill authored three books: MODERN MARLINESPIKE SEAMANSHIP, HISTORIC BUILDINGS OF ST. THOMAS AND ST. JOHN, and REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, along with many technical papers. His work also led to the discovery and description of a new lizard species, to be named in his honor.

In 1988 Bill was diagnosed with cancer. An aggressive Course of treatment brought about remission, and Bill and Ellen joined an expedition to the islands of the South China Sea in May 1990. He died Oct. 15, 1991, at the N.I.H. Hospital in Bethesda. His intelligence, humor, generosity, and hospitality to the many scientists and friends who knew him will be deeply missed. To Ellen and his father, William P., and stepmother, Lois, the Class extends its deepest sympathy.

The Class of 1965