William G. Wilson, known as "Bill W.," co-founded Alcoholics Anonymous, which has affected millions of lives. Born in Dorset, he moved to Rutland in childhood and credited his upbringing there with instilling the traits that determined his success in life, saying, "It was during this period that I can see how my willpower and distinction, later to keynote my whole life, was developed." Wilson gained sobriety in 1934 and co-founded AA in 1935. After a doctor stated that alcoholism was an illness rather than a character flaw, as was incorrectly believed at that time, Wilson wrote some of the core tenets of AA and the 12 Steps. He died in 1971, was buried in East Dorset, and was named by "Time Magazine" as one of the 20th Century's 100 most influential people.

Photo: William Fischer, Jr.

Photo: William Fischer, Jr.

Photo: William Fischer, Jr.

Photo: William Fischer, Jr.

Rutland, Vermont · USA