Charles K. Williams II, the renowned American archaeologist who devoted more than three decades to excavations at Ancient Corinth, died on September 16, 2026, at the age of 96. His connection to Greece spanned more than six decades, and his archaeological work at Corinth continued almost until the end of his life.
He arrived at the American School of Classical Studies at Athens in 1962. Four years later, he became director of the Corinth Excavations. He held the position until 1997.
For Williams, Ancient Corinth became more than an archaeological site. It became the place that shaped his career and a community he continued to support for decades.
Three Decades at Ancient Corinth
As director, Williams explored almost every part of the large archaeological site. His work covered a long period of history, from the Iron Age to the late Frankish period.
One major project began in 1982. Williams started excavations east of the ancient theater. The work uncovered thousands of fragments of Roman wall paintings from buildings of the Roman period.
Those frescoes remained part of his work long after he left the excavation directorship. Only months before his death, Williams was still working on their publication and historical context.
His role also extended to the training of younger scholars.
Each autumn, he led students on archaeological tours through the Corinthia and Argolida. In the spring, he trained students in excavation techniques. His students included future field archaeologists, classicists and ancient historians.
Williams also welcomed scholars from around the world who came to Corinth to study its archaeological material.
A Legacy That Went Beyond the Excavations
Williams did not limit his contribution to what archaeologists uncovered from the ground.
He was also a trained architect. He designed three buildings at the Corinth excavation headquarters and provided substantial funding for the excavations and supported fellowships for students and scholars.
In later years, he funded two modern storage and laboratory buildings at Ancient Corinth.
Thousands of Roman fresco fragments from his excavations are now being conserved and reassembled in these facilities. His support therefore continued to shape how the finds from Corinth are preserved and studied.
Williams also remained closely involved with the American School. He joined its Board of Trustees in 1997 and served as chairman from 2002 to 2011. In 2021, he was made a Commander of the Order of the Phoenix by the President of Greece.
His connection with Corinth was also recognized locally.
The Municipality of Corinth honored Williams in 2025. He had previously become an honorary citizen of Corinth. The municipality described him as a cherished friend who deeply loved Ancient Corinth and considered it his second home.
A Life Still Tied to Corinth
Williams remained connected to the Corinth Excavations long after he stepped down as director.
His story is also part of the much longer history of American archaeological work at Corinth. The American School began excavating there in 1896.
For more than 60 years, Williams remained part of that tradition. For 31 years, he led the excavations himself.
Yet his final years show that his work at Corinth was never simply a chapter of his career.
The excavations continued. The frescoes he helped uncover were still being studied. And the facilities he supported continue to preserve the archaeological record of the ancient city.
Charles K. Williams II spent much of his life uncovering Ancient Corinth.
He also spent his later years helping ensure that what was uncovered would remain available for future generations.
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