Alan E. Wilson, 51, city public school teacher

Alan E. Wilson, a retired Baltimore public schools educator, died of undetermined causes Friday at his Columbia home. He was 51.

Mr. Wilson was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and raised in Europe and Northwest Baltimore. He was a 1969 graduate of Polytechnic Institute, and earned a bachelor's degree in English from Coppin State College in 1976. He also earned a master's degree in international politics in 1983 from the University of Southern California.

Mr. Wilson taught English and special education studies at Hampstead Hill and Cherry Hill elementary schools, Harlem Park Middle School and Fairmont-Harford High School before retiring in 1995 on a medical disability.

He was an avid reader and student of cultural history, family members said. He also liked writing poetry and attending the theater in Baltimore and New York.

A gourmet cook, he liked entertaining family and friends.

Mr. Wilson was a communicant of St. Peter Claver Roman Catholic Church.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. today at Witzke Funeral Home, 5555 Twin Knolls Road, Columbia.

Mr. Wilson is survived by his father, Elmer E. Jones of New York City; his mother, Vera I. Wilson, a retired city public school principal who lives in Baltimore; and a sister, Bronwyn Smalley of Waldorf.