William E. May


William E. May was an American theologian who was the Michael J. McGivney Emeritus Professor of Moral Theology at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC where he taught from 1991 to 2008.
He previously taught moral theology at The Catholic University of America from 1971 to 1991. Dr. May has also lectured and taught at various universities around the world and taught courses for the Catholic Distance University. Along with John Finnis, Robert P. George and Germain Grisez, and others, he was one of the major proponents of the new natural law theory, which draws on the ethics of Thomas Aquinas.

Early life

May was born the second of three children of Robert W. May and Katherine A. Armstrong on May 27, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri. His father was a Presbyterian, but May was raised a Catholic by his mother. He felt a call to the priesthood while in the fourth grade, and especially wanted to become a missionary to China. When old enough, he entered the seminary and was sent to study philosophy followed by theology at The Catholic University of America. He was tonsured and received the minor orders of porter and acolyte. However, in 1952, because of a serious medical condition, he took some time off from seminary studies to teach in DeAndreis High School in north St. Louis. After teaching for a year, he took his supposed epileptic condition as a sign from God that he should pursue another vocation. . He married Patricia Ann Keck on October 4, 1958. Together they raised seven children and now have many grandchildren. Because of his educational foundation, he found work as a book editor with various publishers from 1954 to 1970, until his teaching career began in 1971.

Education and awards

May continued his education while an editor. He received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts, both in philosophy, from The Catholic University of America, and his Ph.D. from Marquette University. He received the Cardinal Wright Award from the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars, the Pro Pontifice et Ecclesia Medal, and the Paul Ramsey Award in Bioethics from the Center for Bioethics and Culture. He was also a member of the International Theological Commission from 1986-1997.

Selected Books