Ephraim Williams

Founder of the college. He constructed West College with his own hands in the 16th century and lead the most successful of the American utopian communities during the colonial period.

His son, also named Ephraim Williams, did much better at real estate than military leadership. Alas, he led his troops to their deaths near Lake George, New York during the French and Indian War, mostly because he failed to send out a scout. He left money for a "free school" (what's the tuition? 28 thousand now? more like 40 thousand a year?). His family took their time implementing his wish until 1793 when West College was actually built.

See more at the Williams College archives  or also the wikipedia entry.