William E. Carson (conservationist)

William Edward (Will) Carson (October 8, 1870 – March 25, 1942) was an Irish immigrant who became a prominent Virginia businessman, conservationist and author. As the (unpaid) chairman of the Virginia State Commission on Conservation and Development (a predecessor of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation) for about a decade, he worked to foster a tourist economy by initiating Virginia's model historical marker program, as well as by securing land, funding and Civilian Conservation Corps workers which laid the groundwork for state and federal parks in Virginia. Carson served under three Virginia Governors and two U.S. Presidents, but due to political exigencies within the Byrd Organization, he only spoke at the Virginia and national sesquicentennial celebrations and the dedications of Skyline Drive and Colonial National Monument (which became Colonial National Historical Park). The Virginia General Assembly reorganized the agency in early November 1934, requiring a full-time leader, but failing to appropriate a salary, prompting Carson to resign effective January 1, 1935. Thus, although considered one of the founders of Shenandoah National Park, as well as the Virginia state park system, Carson was not publicly acknowledged at those dedications on June 15 and July 3, 1936. He and his wife also donated 63 acres of land which is still a public golf course and park in Front Royal, Virginia, and their former home in Front Royal, Killahevlin, is listed on the National Register for Historic Places.