William Griffith Wilson (26 November 1895 – 24 January 1971), also known as Bill Wilson or Bill W., was the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), a fellowship of self-help groups dedicated to helping alcoholics recover from their disease. According to the AA Twelfth tradition of anonymity, Wilson was and still is commonly known as "Bill W." Wilson achieved sobriety in 1935 and maintained it throughout his remaining 35 years. Despite the success and notoriety afforded him by the accomplishments and growth of AA under his leadership, he continued to suffer from compulsive behavior and episodes of depression. In 1955 Wilson turned over control of AA to a board of trustees. In the years before his death he changed the makeup of the board, which was initially composed of non-alcoholics, to trustees who were both recovering alcoholics and non-alcoholics. In keeping with his interest in spirituality, he and other early leaders of the movement also considered and experimented with other possible cures for alcoholism. These therapies included niacin (vitamin B3) and LSD as a means of inducing spiritual change. Wilson died of emphysema complicated by pneumonia in 1971. His wife, Lois Wilson, was the founder of Al-Anon, a group dedicated to helping the friends and relatives of alcoholics. In 1999 Time Magazine declared Bill Wilson to be in the top twenty of the Time 100: Heroes and Icons who exemplified "courage, selflessness, exuberance, superhuman ability and amazing grace" in the 20th century. (more)
Type: person
Genres: politics, entertainment, biology, science, movies, religious
-
Lois Wilson (activist):
Lois Wilson née Burnham (4 March 1891 - 6 October, 1988) was the founder of Al-Anon, a support group for the friends and family of alcoholics. She was the wife of Alcoholics Anonymous founder Bill W. She was born into affluence in Brooklyn Heights wi
-
Al-Anon/Alateen:
Al-Anon and Alateen are international organizations jointly known as Al-Anon Family Groups with a membership of over half a million men, women and teens, providing a twelve-step program of recovery for friends and family members of alcoholics. Al-Ano
-
Alcoholism:
Alcoholism is a term with multiple and sometimes conflicting definitions. In common and historic usage, alcoholism refers to any condition that results in the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages despite the health problems and negative socia
-
Addiction:
In medical terminology, addiction is a state in which the body relies on a substance for normal functioning and develops physical dependence. When this substance is suddenly removed, it will cause withdrawal, a characteristic set of signs and symptom
-
Alcoholics Anonymous:
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an informal meeting society for recovering alcoholics. Its members state their primary purpose as, "to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety." AA suggests that alcoholics follow its program and abstain
-
Twelve-step program:
A twelve-step program is a set of guiding principles for recovery from addiction, compulsion, or other behavioral problems. Originally proposed by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) as a method of recovery from alcoholism, the Twelve Steps were first publishe
-
Twelve traditions:
The Twelve Traditions of twelve-step programs, define the guidelines for relationships between the twelve-step groups, members, other groups, the global fellowship, and society at large. Questions of finance, public relations, donations, and purpose
-
History of Alcoholics Anonymous:
The history of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has been documented in books, movies, and AA literature from its founding in 1935 as a solution for alcoholism by Bill Wilson (known as Bill W.) and Dr. Robert Smith (known as Dr. Bob), through early struggles
-
Bill W. and Dr. Bob:
Bill W. and Dr. Bob is a play that began previews Off Broadway at New World Stages on February 16 2007 and opened on March 5 2007. It ran for 132 performances at New World Stages and closed on June 10, 2007. It is based on the story of Bill W. and Dr
-
William Duncan Silkworth:
William Duncan Silkworth, M.D., (1873?-1951) was an American medical doctor and specialist in the treatment of alcoholism. He was Director of the Charles B. Towns Hospital for Drug and Alcohol Addictions in New York City in the 1930s, during which ti
-
Stepping Stones (home):
Stepping Stones is the historic home of Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder Bill W. and his wife Lois Wilson (activist) founder of Al-Anon/Alateen in Bedford Hills, New York. The house at 62 Oak Road, Katonah, New York is on the State and National Regist
-
Ebby Thacher:
Edwin Throckmorton Thacher (29 April 1896-21 March 1966) (commonly known as Ebby Thacher or Ebby T.), was an old drinking friend of Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder Bill Wilson. He is credited with introducing Wilson to the initial principles that AA
-
Bob Smith (doctor):
Robert Holbrook Smith (August 8 1879 - November 16 1950) was an American physician and surgeon who co-founded Alcoholics Anonymous. He was also known as Dr. Bob. He was born in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, where he was raised, to Susan A. Holbrook and Wal
-
Gerald Heard:
Henry Fitzgerald Heard commonly called Gerald Heard (October 6, 1889 - August 14, 1971) was a historian, science writer, educator, and philosopher. He wrote many articles and authored over 35 books. Heard was a guide and mentor to numerous well-known
 |
Have you tried vTap yet? See everything, miss nothing!
|
