Top 3 Interesting Facts about George Williams
George Williams, the founder of the world’s largest and oldest youth charity organization, Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), was born on October 11, ... read more...1821, at Dulverton in Somerset, England. He was one of the seven sons of Amos, who was a farmer, and his wife, Elizabeth. He received his early education in his hometown and later started to take care of the family land. He turned out to be a philanthropist and founded YMCA on June 6, 1844. His aim was to help young people to progress and grow within their communities. Very little has been written by historians about him. Toplist has compiled some interesting facts about George Williams.
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George Williams was 22 years old when he formed YMACA, which is an interesting fact about him. Williams was too distressed after seeing one of his native England's living situations. This was the time of the industrial revolution, which initially left many people in abysmal hardship and despair. Sir Williams obtained knowledge from the Bible after extensive research and scrutiny. He sought assistance from his Christian friends, and they collaborated to establish the YMCA.
Williams convened a company of 11 fellow drapers at the living quarters of Hitchcock & Rogers on June 6, 1844. They were James Smith and Christopher. W Smith, Norton Smith, Edward Valentine, Edward Beaumont, M Glasson, William Creese, Francis John Crockett, E Rogers, John Harvey, and John C Symons.
Christopher W Smith, a colleague draper at Hitchcock & Rogers, suggested the name Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA). It advocated for Muscular Christianity. George's employer, George Hitchcock, who served as the organization's initial treasurer, was among the first converts and benefactors to the new organization.
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George Williams passed away on November 6, 1905, and was buried at Saint Paul's Cathedral. Queen Victoria recognized him. The YMCA's contributions during World War I are commemorated with a stained glass window in Westminster Abbey's nave's south corridor. The window base contains two pictures of Sir Williams. One portrait depicts him in his youth, while the other depicts him in his old age.
Dudley Forsyth conceptualized and created this window. Colin Williams, William's great-grandson, contributed to the current Abbey renovation and restoration. He also gave a little glass pane with the YMCA logo etched on it. This stained glass window was installed in the Abbey's Lady Chapel. Sir George Williams University, located in Montreal, was established by the YMCA and named for this English philanthropist. This university was later merged with Concordia University, although the former site was kept as Sir George William Campus.
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The YMCA has spread to 20 nations worldwide, with 2500 branches in the United States alone. Some of Sir George Williams' acquaintances were opposed to the organization's formation when he was working on it. Williams believes that the goal of the YMCA's formation is to enhance the social and religious condition of young people through Bible study, social and family prayer gatherings, and strengthening mutual coordination and collaboration among people and diverse communities.
According to him, the purpose of this organization is to improve the spiritual well-being of children. Because numerous of the organization's young members participated in physical education, some people believed that the YMCA should not be involved in providing physical education to children.
When the YMCA grew popular in England, a retired sea captain from Boston, Thomas Valentine Sullivan, saw the need to build something akin to the British YMCA for merchants and sailors. He wished to improve their cognitive talents and empower them to positively participate to the growth of their communities and society. On December 29, 1851, he established the YMCA, USA chapter in Boston.