William Griffith Wilson
William Griffith Wilson (commonly known as Bill Wilson and also known simply as Bill W.), was a co-founder of the self-help movement known as Alcoholics Anonymous. The other co-founder was Dr. Bob Smith.Wilson was born in Vermont, and, after a troubled childhood, became an alcoholic at age 22. 17 years later, while recuperating in a hospital, he was inspired to help others in his situation; this became the inspiration for Alcoholics Anonymous, founded on the notion that "Only an alcoholic can help another alcoholic". In 1941, when the Saturday Evening Post ran an article on the group, it took off.
As the movement grew, Wilson refused greater leadership power, preferring the movement to be based on anonymity. He refused numerous honors during his life, including an honorary degree from Yale University, and refused to allow himself to be on the covers of magazines.
Wilson died of emphysema and pneumonia in 1971, in Miami, Florida.
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