William C. Davidon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William C. Davidon
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| Born | March 18, 1927 |
| Died | November 8, 2013 (aged 86) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Physics professor |
| Known for | Quasi-Newton methods Citizens' Commission to Investigate the FBI |
William Cooper Davidon (born March 18, 1927 – died November 8, 2013) was an American professor of physics and mathematics. He was also a strong supporter of peace.
William Davidon was known for his role in an event in 1971. This event involved getting important documents from an FBI office in Media, Pennsylvania. These documents helped to reveal a secret FBI program called COINTELPRO. This led to changes and investigations into how the FBI operated.
Life and Education
William Davidon was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 1927. He went to Purdue University. Later, he studied at the University of Chicago. He earned his bachelor's, master's, and Ph.D. degrees in physics there.
After finishing his studies, Davidon worked as a researcher. He was at the Enrico Fermi Institute from 1954 to 1956. Then, he worked at the Argonne National Laboratory. While there, he helped create a new way to solve complex math problems. This method is now known as the Davidon–Fletcher–Powell formula.
In 1961, Davidon became a physics professor at Haverford College. He taught physics until 1981. After that, he became a math professor, teaching until 1991. His interests grew to include mathematical logic and set theory. In 1966, he received a special award called a Fulbright Scholar award. He retired from teaching in 1991.
William Davidon moved to Highlands Ranch, Colorado, in 2010. He passed away on November 8, 2013, due to Parkinson's disease.
Working for Peace
William Davidon was very active in promoting peace. In 1966, he traveled to South Vietnam. He went with a group called the Committee for Non-Violent Action. This trip was to show his opposition to the Vietnam War.
That same year, he announced he would not pay his federal income tax. This was a way to protest the war. He later supported a project that encouraged others to do the same. This was a form of peaceful protest against the war.
Davidon also served on the board of directors for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in Philadelphia. The ACLU works to protect people's rights.
As a leader of the Citizens' Commission to Investigate the FBI, Davidon helped plan an action at an FBI office. This action involved getting documents from the FBI office in Media, Pennsylvania. These documents showed information about a secret FBI program. This program was called COINTELPRO. The information revealed led to important changes and investigations into the FBI.
Family Life
In 1963, William Davidon married Ann Morrissett. She was also a well-known peace activist. They had two daughters, Sarah Davidon and Ruth Rodgers. William and Ann later divorced in 1978.
He then married Maxine Libros, who passed away in 2010. William Davidon also had a son, Alan, from his first marriage to Phyllis Wise. He also had a daughter, Aimée, who is an artist and engineer.
