In this segment Les talks with historian Rick Britton about TODAY IN US HISTORY: Today, October 11th, is the 198th birthday of Sir George Williams, an English philanthropist who is little-known and yet he founded an organization that’s benefited millions around the world.

Born on an English farm in 1821, Williams as a young man was a “careless, thoughtless, godless, [and] swearing . . . fellow.” He was apprenticed at a draper’s shop while still young, and in 1841 went to London to work in that trade (the making and selling cloth).
Appalled by the terrible conditions in London for young working men, he gathered together a group of his fellow drapers to create a place that would not tempt young men into sin. Founded on June 6, 1844, that place was the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). Since then it’s become the largest youth charity in the world.

In the beginning, the YMCA promoted Muscular Christianity, a mid-19th century English belief system characterized by discipline, patriotic duty, self-sacrifice, manliness, and the moral and physical beauty of athleticism. The movement came into vogue as a method of building character among the students in the English public-school system.

Williams was knighted by Queen Victoria, and after his death in 1905 was commemorated at Westminster Abbey with a stained-glass window.

THE LOCAL CONNECTION: Madison Hall on the grounds of the University of Virginia—opened in 1905, directly across University Ave. from the Rotunda—was originally the home of the first campus-based YMCA in the United States. It was named after former president James Madison, the second rector of the University. Madison took over the position after Thomas Jefferson’s death in 1826. Madison Hall now houses university administrative offices.

RICK BRITTON HAS A CLASS STARTING SOON: It’s called “Mr. Jefferson’s Academical Village.” This year marks U.Va.’s 200th anniversary. In 1819 Central College—the “hobby” of Jefferson’s old age—was officially granted the state charter making it the University of Virginia. Join us as we explore the University’s early days!
The Details – Held at The Center (formerly the Senior Center), located at 491 Hillsdale Drive, the six-session class starts Tuesday, October 15, and runs for 5 more Tuesdays (4 to 5 p.m.). It features the following topics: “The Founding of the University” – “The Architecture of the Original Grounds” – “Slavery at the University” – “Edgar Allan Poe at U.Va.” – “Recent Archaeological Investigations at U.Va.” “The Marquis de Lafayette’s Visit,” and a FREE 2-hour tour of the Original Grounds of the University of Virginia (for class participants only) led by historian Rick Britton on Tuesday, November 26, at 9 a.m.

Charge: The Center members – $80; Guests – $90. To sign up, call The Center Travel Office at (434) 974-6538 or go to www.thecentercville.org and press first “Travel,” then “Lectures.”