z. william colson

"…was a practicing eye and ear surgeon in the greater Lawrence area for the past 50 years until his retirement in 1970. Born in Florida, he had been a resident of Methuen for the past 50 years. Dr. Colson graduated from Emory College in 1917 and from Tufts College of Medicine in 1923. He practiced General Medicine in Lawrence for six years and in 1931 returned to Tufts to specialize in eye and ear medicine graduating in 1940. He received a research fellowship in ophthalmology from Harvard Medical School and Howe Laboratory. Dr. Colson was Surgeon-in-Chief of Eye and Ear at Lawrence General Hospital from 1944 through 1955. He was also a consultant at the Lawrence General and Bon Secours Hospitals until his retirement.

Dr. Colson was a first lieutenant in World War I serving in the Unites States Air Force from 1917 to 1918. He was a pursuit pilot serving with the 49th Aero squadron in the 2nd Pursuit Group. He was cited for distinguished and exceptional gallantry in action.

Dr. Colson was a member of Hope Congregational Church and was a Diplomat for the American Board of ophthalmology. He also held membership in the American College of Surgeons, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, the Harvard Club and the Corinthian Yacht Club of Marblehead."

from his obituary

William C. Almost too young for the Lafayette Escadrille but determined and dashing I volunteered and flew single-enginedly through amazing dogfights. Once, hurtling upside down, I fell out miraculously landing in a barnyard's hay on my nose which broke my fall and Romanized my profile and, not incidentally, stimulated my interest in my profession as specialist; eye, nose, and ear. My publication I tried hardest not to leave in waiting rooms: The Importance of Being Ignorant. from Oak and Mimosa by Alan Reynolds

Z. Wm. Colson's The Importance of Being Ignorant appeals greatly to his nephew.