William Glasgow Bruce Carson was born to Susan Ross (Glasgow) and Dr. Norman Bruce Carson on September 1, 1891 in St. Louis and was their only child. After graduating from Washington University in 1913, William volunteered for the American Ambulance Field Service in 1917. Following his service, he taught in the English Department of Washington University from 1919 to 1957, teaching theater and advising student dramatic groups. His research and writing covered theater history and his ancestors, namely his maternal great-grandfather William Carr Lane. William G.B. Carson served the Missouri Historical Society in various capacities for decades, including donating a collection of Lane-Glasgow family letters and serving on the Board of Trustees from 1930 to 1960. He died on December 2, 1976.

William and his wife, Elizabeth Chapin, met at Washington University where Elizabeth was a member of the staff. They married on June 12, 1923, and had two sons, Bruce Norman Carson (1924-2009) and William (Bill) Chapin Carson (b. 1928). Both Bruce and Bill graduated from Princeton University and served in the military, with Bill becoming a navigator in the U.S. Air Force. After Bill’s retirement from private trade and technical school management, he revised some of his father’s writings and wrote a biography of his great-great grandfather, William Carr Lane, called He moved West with America: The Life and Times of Wm. Carr Lane, 1789-1863 (2016).

Elizabeth (Chapin) Carson was born to Daisy (Montgomery) and Henry A. Chapin on July 10, 1897, and grew up at the family home in the Carondelet neighborhood. Elizabeth graduated from Washington University in 1919. After marrying William G.B. Carson, she remained involved in philanthropic and community efforts through the Washington University Gamma Phi sorority and the Washington University Women’s Club, receiving awards for her service. Elizabeth died on April 30, 1983.

Elizabeth’s mother, Daisy Montgomery Chapin (1868-1956), was born to Jeannette (“Jessie”) Lee (1836-1921) and Dr. Alexander Montgomery (1834-1915). Daisy married Henry Aaron Chapin (1862-1947) in 1895. Daisy and Henry lived in the house Henry built in Carondelet.

William G.B. Carson’s mother Susan Ross (Glasgow) Carson (1851-1928) was born to Sarah Sidney Lane and William Glasgow, Jr. (1813-1892), and was the sixth child of nine. She married Dr. Norman Bruce Carson in 1888.

Susan Ross (Glasgow) Carson’s sister, Sarah (1858-1938), was married to Newton Richards Wilson. Sarah (Glasgow) Wilson’s weekend residence, “Sun-Up,” appeared to be a gathering place for the family.

Sarah Sidney Lane (1821-1887), William G.B. Carson’s maternal grandmother, was born to Mary Ewing (1794-1865) and William Carr Lane (1789-1863). She married William Glasgow, Jr. in 1840. Her father William Carr Lane was the first mayor of St. Louis, serving from 1823-1829 and 1837-1840, also serving as governor of New Mexico Territory in 1852 and 1853. William Carr Lane and his family were slavery supporters, causing tension with Lane’s Unionist son-in-law, William Glasgow, Jr. [For more on William Carr Lane please see the William Carr Lane Papers (A0873).]

William Glasgow, Jr. (1813-1892), was the son of Ann Ross and James Glasgow (?-1856). William founded the Missouri Wine Company, helped secure land for public schools, and co-founded Eliot Seminary (later Washington University).

William G.B. Carson’s father, Dr. Norman Bruce Carson (1844-1931), was born to Barbara Bruce (1822-1893) and James O’Hara Carson (1819-1912). After studying medicine at Washington University and St. Louis Medical College, Norman practiced in St. Louis starting in 1870. He taught clinical surgery at Washington University School of Medicine, served as chief of staff at Mullanphy Hospital, and was president of both the St. Louis Medical Society and the St Louis Surgical Society. Norman’s sister, Carrie (Carson) McWilliams (1860-1953), and his niece, Sally Bruce Mitchell (1867-1954), were under the care of William G.B. and Elizabeth Carson beginning in the 1950s.