Newspaper article on the founders of the YMCA in 1844
Description:
This newspaper article highlights the early history associated with the YMCA and the controversy associated with who the original founder of the YMCA was. William M. Symons wrote the first two annual reports in 1844 and 1845, identifying the founder as Mr. W. D. Owen, who was the chair of the board at this time. However, multiple letters have been discovered from trusted members of the committee that state that the real founder of the YMCA was Sir George Williams. Williams was considered the president of the YMCA. The article goes on to explain how many of the early meetings for the YMCA occurred in Williams's bedroom, and that he should be considered the real founder of the YMCA. The document ends by stating that few people will dispute the idea that the major founder of the YMCA was George Williams. The newspaper that this document came from is not stated. This document was attached to the front of the bound volume of the "YMCA London Report, 1944-1973" contained in the rare book collection of the Springfield College Archives and Special Collections. To learn more about Sir George Williams, see: https://springfield.as.atlas-sys.com/agents/people/713. This document was attached to the front of the bound volume of the "YMCA London Report, 1944-1973" contained in the rare book collection of the Springfield College Archives and Special Collections.
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