William A. Wellman
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William Augustus Wellman (February 29, 1896 – December 9, 1975) was an American movie director. Wellman's father was a New England Brahmin of English-Welsh-Scottish and Irish descent. His mother, much beloved by the great director, was an Irish immigrant named Cecilia McCarthy.
Before his career in films, Wellman served in World War I in the French Foreign Legion as an ambulance driver[1]. He later served in the Lafayette Escadrille.
Wellman was hired in 1927 to direct Wings, a major drama dealing with pilots during World War I that was highlighted by air combat and flight sequences. It was the first film to win an Academy Award for Best Picture.
Films include Magic Town, The Public Enemy, The Story of G.I. Joe, the original version of A Star Is Born, Roxie Hart, and Nothing Sacred. He was the great-great-great grandson of Francis Lewis of New York, one of the signaturies to the Declaration of Independence.
Wellman died in 1975 of leukemia.
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