William Close

William Close
Born
William Taliaferro Close

(1924-06-07)June 7, 1924
DiedJanuary 15, 2009(2009-01-15) (aged 84)
EducationHarvard University
Columbia University (MD)
Spouse
Bettine Moore
(m. 1943)
Children5, including Glenn
RelativesAnnie Starke (granddaughter)

William Taliaferro Close (June 7, 1924 – January 15, 2009) was an American surgeon who played a major role in stemming a 1976 outbreak of the Ebola virus in Zaire, the first major outbreak of the viral hemorrhagic fever in Central Africa, and preventing its further spread. He was also the father of Oscar-nominated actress Glenn Close and husband of Bettine Moore Close.