Letter from Ernest M. Best

Item Information

Title:
Letter from Ernest M. Best
Description:
A five-page letter from Ernest M. Best, dated December 18th. The letter has James S. Summers' speech at a conference attached, which Best hoped would serve as inspiration for the men at war overseas. Best also writes, at the end of the letter, a note detailing information about other actions that need to be taken care of overseas. Ernest Best began his career as a student at Springfield College (then the International YMCA Training College), graduating in 1911. He returned in 1913 as a teacher of Religious Education and Normal Religious Work. In 1916 he left Springfield College to go overseas and join the war effort as a Senior Officer with the Canadian YMCA War Services in France. In 1937 he returned to Springfield College as its fifth president, a position he held until 1945. Born in Australia, James S. Summers first heard of Springfield College (then known as International YMCA Training School) while life-guarding as a young man in Honolulu, Hawaii. Impressed by his swimming prowess, Dr. Hand, then the physical education director of the Y.M.C.A, advised Summers to study physical education at Springfield College. He began his studies the same year and graduated in 1911. He then performed Y.M.C.A. work with the Canadian and British armies during World War I, ultimately earning an honorary Captaincy in the British Army. After the war, he established the Physical Department of the Y.M.C.A school in Midmay, London. Eventually, Summers moved to Uruguay, where he founded the Montevideo YMCA (1909) and dedicated more than twenty-five years to serving the country as a Y.M.C.A. secretary.
Creator:
Best, Ernest Maurice, 1880-1963
Creator:
Summers, James S.
Date:
[1914?–1918?]
Format:
Letters/Correspondence
Location:
Springfield College Archives and Special Collections
Collection (local):
Springfield College Armed Forces Collection
Subjects:
International Young Men's Christian Association College
Springfield College
World War, 1914-1918
Springfield College--Alumni and alumnae
Summers, James S.
Best, Ernest Maurice, 1880-1963
Correspondence
Places:
Massachusetts > Hampden (county) > Springfield
Extent:
5 Pages
Link to Item:
http://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16122coll16/id/2330
Terms of Use:
Text and images are owned, held, or licensed by Springfield College and are available for personal, non-commercial, and educational use, provided that ownership is properly cited. A credit line is required and should read: Courtesy of Springfield College, Archives and Special Collections. Any commercial use without written permission from Springfield College is strictly prohibited. Other individuals or entities other than, and in addition to, Springfield College may also own copyrights and other propriety rights. The publishing, exhibiting, or broadcasting party assumes all responsibility for clearing reproduction rights and for any infringement of United States copyright law.
Contact host institution for more information.
Publisher:
Springfield College
Language:
English
Identifier:
rg104-01-a-01a-08-009