Life Span of Bill Wilson

Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, was born November 26, 1895 in East Dorset, Vermont to Emily Griffeth Wilson and Gilman Wilson. Emily was bright and intelligent; she trained to be a schoolteacher, but often imagined being a doctor or lawyer (Cheever, 2005). Emily’s parents were hardworking, no nonsense people, considered well off by neighbors, but they lacked the ability to form close relationships with other people (Cheever, 2005). Gilman Wilson, known as Gilly, lived in an inn run by his widowed mother, called the Wilson House (Cheever, 2005). Gilly would often drink and entertain the guests even as a boy. He was a charming bachelor and Emily hoped that marriage would turn him into a responsible man (Cheever, 2005).

As a child, Bill was constantly seeking his mothers’ attention. He would quickly abandon projects she seemed to disapprove of, while redoubling his efforts when she showed her approval (Cheever, 2005). In times of anger toward her drinking husband she would beat Bill with a hairbrush. She often went on trips for her health, taking Bill’s sister Dorothy (Cheever, 2005).

In 1904 the Wilson family moved to Rutland Vermont. This move would allow Emily and Gilly the distance from their parents they needed to live their own family life (Cheever, 2005). Bill had been used to a one room school, but now he was sent to a school where hundred’s of students attended. He was tall for his age, and was teased by the students from the first day (Cheever, 2005). During this time, the Wilson marriage was unraveling. Gilly had been unfaithful and was drinking heavily, and Emily suffered multiple nervous breakdowns (Cheever, 2005). Emily then decided it was her marriage that was making her ill, so she left Gilly (Cheever, 2005). In 1906, at age 10, Bill learned that he would not see his father again, and his mother was leaving to study osteopathic medicine (Cheever, 2005). Bill was to live with his mother’s parents. This incident was agonizing for Bill who many years later admitted that he had never spoke of the incident with anybody (Cheever, 2005).

His childhood experiences, and the environment in which he was raised influenced Bill’s emotional development. He sought acceptance from his mother who took her anger toward her husband out on him, he felt abandoned by his mother and father, he was teased by his classmates, and the uncertainty of having to live with his grandparents caused a great deal of fear. Bill was conditioned to have this response from the family situation, his father was jolly, and oftentimes drunk and his mother was berating, angry and resentful. Bill was raised in an era and location where Yankee stoicism and fortitude were admired traits. Along with these positive traits came a defiance and stubbornness that would cause Bill trouble later in his life. Bill inherited an instinct of success and competitiveness from his Grandfather Griffith but was also seemed consumed with self-doubt (Cheever, 2005). He may have inherited his alcoholic tendencies from his father, Gilly and grandfather Wilson.

In 1915 Bill met Lois Burnham, and in 1918 they were married. Lois was four years older than Bill, but she believed him to be the most interesting, knowledgeable and the finest man she knew (Wilson, L. 1991). He went drinking with the boys at times but she was sure her influence could return him to his previous state of temperance (Wilson, L. 1991). Bill and Lois had a beginning marriage that was full of adventures and excitement. They made many walking trips along the east coast, and shared their deepest thoughts with each other. Bill went to law school and studied economics. In time he became a well-known speculator on Wall Street. The money and prestige was rolling in. During this time drinking was taking an important and exhilarating part in his life (W., Bill 2001). The stock market crash of 1929 seemed to not phase Bill as he drank in a local bar, his fierce determination to win came back (W., Bill 2001). He was able to go to work for someone in Canada, and he was very successful, but his drinking