William Henry Dudley, Assistant Librarian at the University of Wisconsin for forty-eight years, was born on January 4, 1869, near Albion, Ohio, the son of Bela De Loss Dudley and Philura B. Johnson. His early schooling was in the country schools near Albion. In 1884, when he was fifteen, his family moved to the southeastern part of what was then Dakota Territory, eventually settling at Canistota. There he finished his elementary education. After high school, Dudley entered the University of South Dakota at Vermillion. Soon he became proficient in Latin and developed an interest in library work, earning his expense money by teaching Latin and working as a library assistant. In 1891 he came to the University of Wisconsin to finish his formal education. He received his Bachelor of Arts in 1892. After negotiating for several high school principal and teaching jobs, in August 1892 he was appointed assistant librarian under Walter M. Smith. He continued to hold this position until his retirement in 1939.
On June 27, 1900 at Broadlands, South Dakota, he married Agnes L. Potter, whom he had met while both were students at the University of South Dakota. They had three children: a son, Delos Edson, and two daughters, Marian Elizabeth and Ruth Mary. Dudley died after a long illness at Madison, Wisconsin, on March 3, 1941.
Dudley's interests were numerous and varied. His classical education gave him an interest in Greek and Roman art, architecture, and culture. In addition to his knowledge of Latin and Greek, he was proficient in French, German, Italian, and Norwegian. He made several trips to Europe and became especially well acquainted with Italy. Art was his special interest and he took many thousands of photographs during his travels. From these he developed an impressive collection of lantern slides, which he used as a basis for illustrated talks which he gave as a professional lecturer. In addition to this interest in art and photography, Dudley was also interested in music. The latter was also the especial forte of his wife, and both of their daughters became professional musicians.
