Although Weld was eloquent in many subjects,friends say some of his political discussionsclearly reflected his conservative upbringing.

"Bill had some elitist ideas about societywhich I think were associated with his socialbackground from the ruling class," Maraniss said.

In fact, Weld's political views often differedfrom those of the traditional Adams resident--andfrom those of his roommate as well.

"We occasionally had some political discussion.I came from a Bohemian background, where I hadlearned that to be a republican, you had to beeither rich or stupid," Weld's roommate Peter C.Brooks '66 says. "I was brought up with the ideasof social action and a good conscience. I mean, myhero was Franklin Roosevelt. That was contrary to[Weld's] background."

Regardless of his political inclinations,Weld's friends say the future governor was willingto discuss any variety of topics.

"He was fun to sit down with you and engage youin conversation," says Cameron, an associateprofessor of Spanish at Ursinus College inPennsylvania. "He loved to engage people from allwalks of life, not just the clubbies."

Arts, Not Politics

When Weld was not studying Latin poetry ordebating in Adams House, he was participating in avariety of extracurricular activities thatreflected his interest in literature and arts--notpolitics.

Weld was a member of the Hasty Pudding Club,the Hasty Pudding Theatricals, the Signet Societyand the Fly Club. He was not an active member ofstudent government, nor of any politicalorganization on campus.

Even as a thesis-writing senior, the governordid not reduce his extracurricular did notinvolvement, playing the lead role in the HastyPudding's senior show, "Right up your Alley."

"Bill didn't have a topic for his senior thesisuntil two weeks before it was due," Adams says."He finally picked out a topic, and I rememberthat during rehearsals, there Bill was in costume,under the stage, in between scenes, with a pad andpaper, writing his thesis."

Weld's performance in the senior play was lessthan spectacular however, according to an openingnight review in The Crimson on March 15, 1966.

"Bill Weld played Vera Similitude as though shewere a gigantic doll. After this stopped beingamusing (about three minutes), Vera became aliability, since she was substantially lessbelievable than the rest of the characters),"wrote the Crimson reviewer. "Considering thepossibilities of the genre, Right Up the Alley, isa real dog."

In addition to his academic and dramaticendeavors, Weld also had an active social life asa member of the Hasty Pudding Club and the FlyClub, two organizations which members say havechanged since the governor left Harvard.

"The Pudding Club was very much more of a goingconcern back than then it is now. The Club almostoccupied the whole building--we ate on the thirdfloor and had the bar on the second, says Adams,who was president of the club. "Bill went therefor dinner and drinks frequently."