William May Wightman

William May Wightman
Born	January 29, 1808 Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
Died	February 15, 1882 Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
Occupation	Clergyman
Spouse(s)	Maria Davies
Parent(s)	William Wightman Matilda Wightman

Bishop William May Wightman (1808–1882) was an American educator and clergyman. He served as the President of Wofford College from 1853 to 1859. He served as the Chancellor of Southern University in Greensboro, Alabama (now known as Birmingham–Southern College and located in Birmingham, Alabama) from 1860 to 1866. He became a Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South in 1866.

William May Wightman was born on January 29, 1808 in Charleston, South Carolina. His father was William Wrightman. His mother, Matilda, was an immigrant who was born in Plymouth, England. He had seven siblings, including the painter Thomas Wightman. His maternal grandparents were personal friends of Methodist theologian Adam Clarke.

Wightman joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, when he was sixteen years old. He graduated from the College of Charleston.

Wightman became a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South in 1827. He served churches in Charleston, Orangeburg, Santee, Camden and Abbeville, South Carolina.

Wightman was a fundraiser for Randolph–Macon College from 1834 to 1837. He was Professor of English from 1837 to 1839.

Wightman was appointed as the editor of the Southern Christian Advocate in 1840. He was the author of a biography of Bishop William Theodotus Capers as well as an autobiography, both of which were published posthumously.

Wightman, who was a personal friend of Benjamin Wofford, served as the first Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Wofford College. He served as its President from 1853 to 1859. He served as the Chancellor of Southern University in Greensboro, Alabama (now known as Birmingham–Southern College and located in Birmingham, Alabama) from 1860 to 1866.

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