But Williams, a member of the Board of Overseers and the only Black on the presidential search committee, calls himself a "classic Harvard devotee." He has expressed particular concern with the University's education and science programs.

"If there's a single area where my interest probably makes me stick out a bit from the rest," he says, "I tend to be sort of a beacon of interest and devotion to the Divinity School.

Williams is an active member in the capital's Episcopalian community. He has held high posts in the Protestant Episcopal diocese and served as a trustee of the Washington National Cathedral, among other organizations.

"Church matters have long been ones of great concern to me," he says. "Church is the sacred moment for the Williams family."

He is also involved in several Washington-area human service organizations. A member of the executive committee of the Washington chapter of Lawyers for Civil Rights Under Law, Williams does pro bono work in civil rights law. He is also a trustee of Family and Child Services of Washington.

Williams is characterized by colleagues as intellectual and humane. Some mention that at Overseers' meetings he is prone to making long-winded but heartfelt speeches.

Williams received an M.A. from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in 1964, a law degree from Harvard in 1967 and an L.L.M. from Columbia University in 1969.

Professor of Law Lance M. Liebman, who was Williams' classmate at Harvard Law School, said Williams was a "very well known member" of their class.

Calling Williams "one of the most prominent lawyers in the U.S.," Liebman says, "He is a very savvy person, with a major interest in Harvard."

Williams is the author of A Practical Guide to FIRREA: The Financial Institution Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 (1989), which dealt with the laws governing the savings and loan bailout.