William Alston was an influential American philosopher known for his work in epistemology, the study of knowledge. He was born on March 27, 1921, and passed away on July 13, 2009. Alston is particularly recognized for his defense of religious experience as a valid source of knowledge and for his contributions to the philosophy of language and metaphysics. Alston served as a professor at several prestigious institutions, including Syracuse University and the University of Michigan. His writings, such as "Perception and the Philosophy of Language," have had a lasting impact on contemporary philosophy. Alston's ideas continue to influence discussions in both theology and philosophy.