George Williams founds the YMCA in London

Background. George Williams was an English philanthropist and businessman who worked as a draper in London. He was typical of young men drawn to cities by the Industrial Revolution. Appalled by the terrible conditions for young working men, he sought to create a place that would not tempt them into sin. His idea grew from meetings for prayer and Bible-reading among his fellow workers.

Founding of the YMCA. On 6 June 1844, Williams gathered a group of eleven fellow drapers in the living quarters of Hitchcock & Rogers. This meeting led to the founding of the Young Men's Christian Association with the purpose of improving the spiritual condition of young men in trades. The name was settled at the suggestion of Christopher W. The first premises opened on Great Russell Street in 1844.

Legacy. Within the scope of this event, the founding established the YMCA's initial purpose of improving the spiritual condition of young men in trades. As biographical background on the founder rather than an event fact, Williams was later knighted by Queen Victoria in her 1894 Birthday Honours. The YMCA's later global growth lies outside this event's declared scope.

Participants. George Williams was the founder and a London draper. Eleven friends or fellow drapers participated in the founding meeting. Christopher W. suggested the name Young Men's Christian Association. The group aimed to improve the spiritual condition of young men engaged in trades.