WILLIAMS, SIR GEORGE: Founder of the Young Men's Christian Association; b. at Dulverton (45 m. s.w. of Bath), Somersetshire, Oct. 11, 1821; d. at Torquay Nov. 6, 1905. As youthful apprentice in a business house at Bridgewater he was the subject of the religious impressions which molded his subsequent career. In 1841 he removed to London, entering the drapery house of Hitchcock and Rogers; married Helen Hitchcock, and upon the death of her father in 1863 became head of the establishment. Immediately upon his arrival in London his keen interest in the well-being of his fellow employees began. Through his personal efforts and leadership there was formed within the establishment a society to help forward foreign mission work. But the work of his life commenced in June, 1844, when he led in forming the Young Men's Christian Association (q.v.). Originally planned to benefit young men engaged in the drapery and other trades, this institution developed rapidly. Branch associations were formed in different parts of London, Britain, and Ireland, and later in Australia, India, and South Africa, and by his personal initiative also in Paris, Switzerland, and other parts of Europe, and the work took root also in the United States and Canada. In 1855 he had a leading part in the first world's conference which met in Paris. In the extension of the organization he was actively interested, wisely distributing his gifts where the associations had most need of help from abroad. In 1880 he was the first to give a contribution of £5,000 toward the purchase of Exeter Hall as the headquarters of the English work. In 1882 he led in forming the National Union of English Associations, over which he presided to the end of his life. In 1885, upon the death of the Earl of Shaftesbury, who for thirty years had filled the office, he was unanimously elected president.

In 1894 the London Association jubilee was celebrated by a world's conference of 2,000 delegates from all the continents, accompanied by a series of religious 4emonstrations without parallel in the history of London Christian organizations. The corporation of the city of London then conferred upon Williams the honorary freedom of the city because "coming to the city as a young man he had for fifty years made it his principal business unselfishly and efficiently to promote the best welfare of the young men of the eity," and following this Queen Victoria bestowed upon him the honor of knighthood.

Sir George also maintained a relation of strong and generous leadership to the work of the British and Foreign Bible Society, the London City Mission, the Church Missionary Society, the Band of Hope Union, and many kindred organizations-in a large number of which he filled the office of president, evincing in a remarkable degree the possession of great public spirit, of broad Christian sympathy, and of the highest and truest philanthropy.

Richard C. Morse.

Bibliography: J. E. H. Williams, Life of Sir George Will- t. ms, a London and New York, 1906; and literature under Young Men's Christian Association.

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