William Stevenson (athlete)

William Edwards Stevenson (October 25, 1900 – April 2, 1985) was an American athlete, lawyer and diplomat, who won the gold medal in 4x400 m relay at the 1924 Summer Olympics.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, William Stevenson won the AAU championships in 440 yd in 1921.

At the Paris Olympics, Stevenson ran the last leg in the American 4x400 m relay team, which won the gold medal with a new world record of 3.16.0.

Stevenson won a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford, where he studied law. After his returning to United States, he founded the prominent New York law partnership of Debevoise, Stevenson, Plimpton and Page. During the World War II, Stevenson and his wife organized and administered the American Red Cross operations in Great Britain, North Africa, Sicily, and Italy. Both he and his wife were awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement in support of military operations.

In 1946, Stevenson succeeded Ernest Hatch Wilkins as a president of Oberlin College. He held this post until John F. Kennedy appointed him as an ambassador to Philippines in 1962, where he served until 1965.

Stevenson died in Fort Myers, Florida, aged 84.