Background
Dudley, William Sheldon was born on July 14, 1936 in Brooklyn. Son of William Henry and Dorothy (Lawson) Dudley.
Dudley, William Sheldon was born on July 14, 1936 in Brooklyn. Son of William Henry and Dorothy (Lawson) Dudley.
Bachelor, Williams College, 1958. Master of Arts, Columbia University, 1966. Doctor of Philosophy, Columbia University, 1972.
History teacher, Polytechnic Preparatory County Day School, Brooklyn, 1963-1966; assistant professor History, Southern Methodist U., Dallas, 1970-1977; supervisory historian, Naval History Center, Washington, 1977-1982; head early history branch, Naval History Center, Washington, 1982-1990; senior historian, Naval History Center, Washington, 1990-1995; director, Naval History Center, Washington, since 1995.
Board director Naval History Foundation, since 2005. Member American Revolution Roundtable (president 1987), Society History in the Federal Government (president 1989-1990, Thomas Jefferson prize 1993), Maryland History Society (maritime committee since 1994), North America Society Oceanic History (president 1999—2003), Massachusetts History Society (correspondent member), Annapolis Maritime Museum (director), Maryland Advisory Committee Archeology, Naval Order United States Historian General. Historian Advisor, Ocean Technology Foundation.
Married Julia Bartel, August 21, 1965 (deceased). Children: Jennifer Bee, Mary Megan. Married Donna Tully, February 20, 2001.