Background
Going, William Thornbury was born on June 3, 1915 in Birmingham, Alabama, United States. Son of Clarence Johnston and Louise (Thornbury) Going.
Going, William Thornbury was born on June 3, 1915 in Birmingham, Alabama, United States. Son of Clarence Johnston and Louise (Thornbury) Going.
AB with honors, University Alabama, 1936. Master of Arts (scholar, fellow English), Duke University, 1938. Doctor of Education, University Michigan, 1954.
Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Southern Illinois University, 2000.
Teacher English, West End High School, Birmingham, 1938-1939; assistant professor education, Samford U., Birmingham, summer 1939; instructor to associate Professor of English, U. Alabama, 1939-1957; teaching fellow, University of Michigan, 1952-1953; Professor of English, Southern Illinois U., Edwardsville, 1957-1980; professor emeritus, Southern Illinois U., since 1980; dean instruction, Southern Illinois U., 1958-1963; dean academic affairs, Southern Illinois U., 1963-1965. Member of faculty committee Illinois Board Higher Education. Member Illinois Fulbright committee.
Organist 2d Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, Alabama, 1939-1942, 1st Methodist Church, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 1943-1950. Member advisory board Alton Memorial Hospital Nursing School. Member National Education Association, Midwest Modern Language Association., National Council Teachers English, Modern Language Association American Illinois Education Association, Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Delta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Eta Sigma, Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
Married Margaret Moorer, December 15, 1951.