George Williams

George Williams

Sir George Williams (October 11, 1821-1905), was the founder of the YMCA.

Williams was born on a farm in Dulverton, Somerset, England. As a young man, he described himself as a "careless, thoughtless, godless, swearing young fellow" but eventually became a devout Christian.

He went to London and worked in a draper's shop. Appalled by the terrible conditions in London for young working men, he gathered a group of his fellow drapers together to create a place that wouldn't tempt young men into sin. That place was the YMCA.

Williams was knighted in 1894 by Queen Victoria. After his death in 1905, he was commemorated by a stained-glass window in the nave of Westminster Abbey. Sir George Williams is buried in St. Paul's Cathedral.

Namesakes

A plaque for George Williams 13-16 Russell Square.

• Sir George Williams College, founded by the central branch of the Montreal YMCA was named after Sir George. This later became Sir George Williams University (SGWU), before merging into Concordia University, and becoming it's Sir George Williams Campus.

Bibliography

• Binfield, Clyde George Williams and the Y.M.C.A.: a Study in Victorian Social Attitudes 1973 London, Heinemann ISBN 0434070904