David K. Wilson

David K. Wilson (1919–2007) was an American businessman and philanthropist. He was the Chairman of the Cherokee Equity Corporation, a privately held insurance corporation, as well as Genesco , a publicly traded footwear corporation. Additionally, he became one of Tennessee's largest philanthropists, focusing on his alma mater, Vanderbilt University, but also other colleges, schools and museums. He was also a major donor and decision-maker within the Republican Party.

Early life David Kirkpatrick Wilson was born on June 15, 1919, in Nashville, Tennessee. His father, Charles P. Wilson, was the co-owner of the Fletcher-Wilson Coffee Company in Nashville; his mother was Florence Moss Wilson. Wilson was on the board of directors of First American Bank, one of Genesco's creditors, during this time. Wilson was also a director of Commerce Union Bank. He also served on the board of directors of the Metro Airport Authority for the Nashville International Airport. As early as 1973, he was the largest donor to Howard Baker's senatorial re-election campaign, by donating $10,000 in public records.

He became heavily involved in funding of the National Republican Party in 1973–1974, when future President George H. W. Bush was chairman. However, he sent encouraging letters to donors to help revitalize Republican fundraising efforts. In 1996, he served as co-finance Chair of Lamar Alexander's presidential campaign.

Shortly before he died in 2007, he donated to Mitt Romney's presidential campaign.

Philanthropy Most of his philanthropy focused on education, especially higher education. He served on the Board of Trustees of his alma mater, Vanderbilt University, from 1963 to 2007, serving as its chairman from 1981 to 1991. Additionally, he served as chairman of the Board of Trustees of Cumberland University, a smaller private college in Lebanon, Tennessee, the Montgomery Bell Academy, a private academy in Nashville, and the Robert A. Taft Institute of Government. Additionally, his portrait, painted by Ann Street, hangs in Kirkland Hall, the administration building on the Vanderbilt campus.