William Davie was an American politician and military leader born on June 20, 1756, in North Carolina. He played a significant role during the American Revolutionary War, serving as a colonel in the Continental Army. After the war, he became a prominent figure in North Carolina politics and was instrumental in the establishment of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Davie also served as the governor of North Carolina from 1798 to 1799. He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, where he advocated for a strong federal government. His contributions to both education and governance have left a lasting impact on the state.