William M. Kelso is Director of Archaeology for the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities (APVA) in Jamestown, VA. A graduate of Baldwin-Wallace College, Kelso obtained his Master's Degree in early American history from the College of William and Mary in 1964. In 1971, He completed his Ph.D. at Emory University.

Between 1979 and 1985, Kelso served as the resident archeologist at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's beloved home, and in 1986, he became director of archeology. Kelso has lectured on Architectural History at the University of Virginia's School of Architecture since 1976 and, since 1995, has served as Adjunct Professor at the College of William and Mary.

Kelso came to APVA's Jamestown Rediscovery Project in 1993.