Memorandum of conference with Dr. James Naismith (March 23, 1939)

Item Information

Title:
Memorandum of conference with Dr. James Naismith (March 23, 1939)
Description:
This is a memorandum recorded by Mr. Dean W. Peterson of a conference he had with Dr. James Naismith at the Hotel Lincoln in New York City on March 23, 1939. In this synopsis of the conference, Dean Petereson outlines his plans for the future, with Naismith saying, "Now I want for the remaining years to give the best I have to humanity." In addition, he talks about having the original manuscript of the rules placed at Springfield College. He says, "I want this document to be placed permanently where it can do the most good and have, therefore, decided to give it to Springfield College." It is believed that this wish was never followed up on. Other topics include plans for the 50th anniversary of the birth of the game and the desire the game, in particular the "character building values of Basketball," be promoted.
Creator:
Peterson, Dean W.
Date:
March 29, 1939
Format:
Documents
Location:
Springfield College Archives and Special Collections
Collection (local):
College Archives Digital Collections
Series:
James Naismith Papers
Subjects:
Basketball--History
Springfield College
Springfield College--Faculty
International Young Men's Christian Association College
Naismith, James, 1861-1939
Peterson, Dean W.
Interviews
Places:
Massachusetts > Hampden (county) > Springfield
Extent:
2 Pages
Link to Item:
https://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15370coll2/id/9094
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, Babson Library, 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
Notes:
James A. Naismith (November 6, 1861 – November 28, 1939), known as "The Father of Basketball" was born in Almonte, Ontario. When he was nine, both of his parents died of typhoid fever and he was raised by his uncle, who later financed Naismith's way through college. He earned his theological degree from McGill University and graduated from Springfield College, then the YMCA Training School, in 1891. After graduation, he was hired as a faculty member, where he taught for five years. It is in his first year as a faculty member at Springfield College that he created the game of Basketball as an activity for an unruly class. In 1895, Naismith enrolled at the Gross Medical School in Denver and received his M.D. in 1898. In that same year, Naismith took the position of department head of physical education at the University of Kansas, where he remained until his death. Dean W. Peterson was the assistant to the president at Springfield College at the time.
Identifier:
ms506-01-25-001