William Stone Weedon

William Stone Weedon (July 5, 1908 – May 13, 1984) was an American scholar, university professor, and U.S. Navy Officer. His academic pursuits spanned philosophy, mathematics, logic, and linguistic analysis. He taught at prestigious institutions such as The University of Virginia and Wesleyan University. Weedon's military career was notable; he served as an officer in the United States Navy during both World War II and the Korean War. He received the Bronze Star for his service in World War II, where he was credited with saving his ship by intercepting Japanese coded messages. His proficiency in Asian languages, unusual for a Westerner at the time, led him to work in cryptanalysis. During the Korean War, he was involved in peace negotiations. After his military service, he continued as a consultant on Far Eastern affairs for the Department of Defense. Academically, Weedon was recognized with several awards from the University of Virginia, including the Algernon Sydney Award, the Raven Award, and the Thomas Jefferson Award. In 1963, he became a 'University Professor' at UVA, allowing him to teach across a broad range of disciplines. He was particularly interested in developing liberal arts seminars and exploring the connections between Platonism and Asian philosophies. He also utilized the R. L. Moore method in his teaching. Personally, Weedon was married to Elizabeth Dupont Bayard, and they had four children. The untimely death of their eldest daughter led them to establish The Ellen Bayard Weedon Foundation, supporting Asian arts and cultural understanding. Weedon passed away in Charlottesville, Virginia, at the age of 75 from cancer.