W. W. Ashe

William Willard Ashe (June 4, 1872 – March 18, 1932) was an American forester and botanist. He was known as a prolific collector of plant specimens and an early proponent of conservationism in the Southern United States.

Early life Ashe was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, to Samuel A'Court Ashe (1840 – 1938) and Hannah Emerson Willard.

Ashe was from a storied southern family. His father was a Confederate captain during the American Civil War, as well as a regarded historian and member of the North Carolina legislature. His grandfather, William Shepperd Ashe (1814 – 1862), was a member of the North Carolina state senate who also served as a United States Congressman from 1849 to 1855. W.W. Ashe was also a descendant of Samuel Ashe (1725 – 1813), the ninth Governor of North Carolina.

Education Ashe was schooled at home by his mother and great-aunt before entering the Raleigh Male Academy when he was 12. Only three years later, in 1891, he matriculated at the University of North Carolina and graduated with a bachelor's degree that same year. and Quercus margaretta Ashe in her honor. Ashe was also a lifelong Episcopalian and member of the Democratic Party.

Death William Willard Ashe died on March 18, 1932, in Washington, D.C. He is buried in the Historic Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Selected works Forest fires: Their destructive work, causes and prevention (1895) Timber trees and forests of North Carolina (1897) Shade trees for North Carolina (1908) Loblolly, or North Carolina pine (1915)