William Lewis Alderson was born in 1913 and received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of California at Berkeley. He taught English at Reed College from 1943 until his death in 1963. His interests included folklore, folksongs, and Gilbert & Sullivan plays, in which he often acted. His wife, Carol Ives Alderson, worked in the Reed library at one time, and his son George, attended Reed College with the class of 1963.
From the description of William Alderson papers, 1931-1964. 1931-1964. (CORVALLIS BENTON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY). WorldCat record id: 55143590