Background
Hance, William Adams was born on December 29, 1916 in New York City. Son of George Clifton and Grace (Adams) Hance.
Hance, William Adams was born on December 29, 1916 in New York City. Son of George Clifton and Grace (Adams) Hance.
Bachelor of Arts, Columbia University, 1938; Master of Science, Columbia University, 1941; Doctor of Philosophy, Columbia University, 1949.
Member faculty, Columbia University, since 1941;
assistant dean college, Columbia University, 1942-1943, 46-49;
professor economics geography, Columbia University, 1959-1982;
professor emeritus, Columbia University, since 1982;
chairman graduate studies, Columbia University, 1961-1964;
chairman department geography, Columbia University, 1964-1973. Field work in, Africa, 1951, 52, 56, 1962-1963, 65, 69, 70, 74, 89-91. Chairman joint committee African studies American Council Learned Societies-SocialSci.
Member Research Council, 1960-1962.
Board managers Uptown branch Young Men’s Christian Association, 1949-1961. Vice president Axe-Houghton Foundation, 1970-1976, 87-, president, 1976-1987. Vice president Nantucket Civic League, 1982-1984, president, 1984-1987.
Member of advisory board Nantucket History Association, since 1985. Board directors Nantucket Land Council, president, since 1988. Board of managers Maria Mitchell Science Center, secretary, since 1990.
Served to Lieutenant commander of The United States Navy Reserve, 1944-1946, 48-56. Founding fellow African Studies Association (board directors 1958-1961, executive secretary 1959-1960, vice president 1965-1966, president 1966-1967). Honorary fellow American Geographical Society (president council 1972-1973).
Member of the Royal African Society, Association American Geographers, Royal Geography Society, Phi BetaKappa.
Married Margaret Dorst, March 23, 1940. Children: Jean, Bronwen.