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William Whitney Christmas

1865 – 1960

American physician and aviator

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About William Whitney Christmas

Lived 1865 – 1960 (aged 94). William Whitney Christmas was an American physician and aircraft pilot.

William Whitney Christmas, M.D. (September 1, 1865 – April 14, 1960) was one of many claimants for an early design of the aileron. He graduated from George Washington University in 1905 with an M.D.

In retirement he was still proposing improbable aeroplane designs.

He died at Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan, New York City, of pneumonia on April 14, 1960.

Aircraft Aircraft designed or developed by Christmas, most of which never left the drawing board, but were supposed to introduce various aviation patents. It is unlikely that any of them other than the Bullet ever flew. (1910: (Dr William Whitney) Christmas Aeroplane Co, Washington DC. c.1912: Durham Christmas Aeroplane Sales & Exhibition Co. 1918: Cantilever Aero Co, Copiague, NY.) Christmas Red Bird 1909 biplane Christmas Red Bird II 1910 biplane Christmas 1912 pusher biplane Christmas 1913 tractor biplane Christmas 1915 biplane Christmas Aerial Express Christmas Bullet

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
George Washington University, George Washington University Medical School, St. John's Military Academy, University of Virginia

People in William Whitney Christmas's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped William Whitney Christmas's

Frequently asked questions

Who was William Whitney Christmas?

American physician and aviator

When was William Whitney Christmas born?

William Whitney Christmas was born on 1 September 1865 in Warrenton.

When did William Whitney Christmas die?

William Whitney Christmas died on 14 April 1960 in Bellevue Hospital Center.

What was William Whitney Christmas's occupation?

William Whitney Christmas was a physician and aircraft pilot.

What nationality was William Whitney Christmas?

William Whitney Christmas was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: William Whitney Christmas

· Wikidata: Q20807179

· DBpedia: William Whitney Christmas

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Whitney Christmas. https://biography.guide/william-whitney-christmas/

MLA: "William Whitney Christmas." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-whitney-christmas/.

Chicago: "William Whitney Christmas." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-whitney-christmas/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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