Background
Burns, William A. was born on October 7, 1909 in New York City. Son of William A. and Florence (Willis) Burns.
Burns, William A. was born on October 7, 1909 in New York City. Son of William A. and Florence (Willis) Burns.
Bachelor of Arts, Manhattan College, 1934; Master of Arts, Columbia University, 1937; Doctor of Education, Columbia University, 1949.
Field director, Occupational Adjustment Study, 1939-1940;
with, American Museum Natural History, New York City, 1940-1962;
associate curator department education, assistant department chairman, American Museum Natural History, 1945-1951;
assistant to director, membership secretary, editor popular publications, American Museum Natural History, 1951-1962;
director, Witte Memorial Museum, San Antonio, 1962-1970;
executive director, secretary board directors, San Diego Natural History Museum, 1970-1973;
director, Florence (South Carolina.) Museum, 1975-1983;
director emeritus, Florence (South Carolina.) Museum, since 1983. Member of advisory board Florence Museum, trustee, 1966. Advisory board Gay Head Museum, Fairfield County (Connecticut) Museum Art, Science and Industry, Nimitz Museum.
Member cultural advising committee Hemis Fair '68. Member Inter-American Ednl. Commission, Latin American Studies Conference.
Member environmental educational advising committee Department of Health, Education and Welfare. Member Creative Ednl. Resources Committee Executive Council, City of San Diego.
Member inter-museums council Balboa Parks Museums. Chairman Cultural Heritage Commission, San Diego County. Member Downtown Improvement Commission, City of Florence,1986.
Member Down-town Improvement Committee, All-American City Committee. Trustee Florence Museum, since 1986. Member Listowel Writers Conference, County Kerry, Ireland.
Member Committee of 100. Member Irish Writers Conference, Listowel, Eire, Southeastern Museum Conference, Governor's History Commission, Florence History Preservation Committee. Board directors San Antonio American Red Cross, Florence Symphony Orchestra, Children's Symphony Music Fair, Craft Guild, Weavers' Guild.
Trustee San Antonio Art League, Florence council Boy Scouts American, Florence Boys and Girls Club, since 1991. Publications chairman Florence Centennial Celebration. Served to 1st lieutenant Army of the United States, 1943-1946.
Member Mexican-American Art Council, San Antonio Little Theater, American Association Museums (council), Association Science Museum Directors (president), International Council Museums, Texas Museum Conference, Texas Art Museum Conference, Texas History Society, Bexar County History Society (survey commission), Florence History Society, Florence Heritage Foundation, Trinity University Library Council, Science Directors Association, San Antonio Conservation Society, San Antonio Art Guild, Rocks and Minerals Society, National Speleological Society, Chamber Music Society, Kappa Delta Pi, Gamma Theta Upsilon, Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina Palmetto Gentleman, Governor's Choice, 1996. Clubs: Rotarian (Paul Harris fellow 1981), Jazz Society, Torch, Alamo, Press, Argyle, Shell, Manuscript, University.
Married Adelaide Jordan, October 7, 1955.