Gustavus Town Kirby

Gustavus Town Kirby (January 22, 1874 - March 28, 1956) was the president of the Amateur Athletic Union from 1911 to 1913.[1][2] He was on every United States Olympic Committee from 1896 to 1956. He was chairman of the advisory committee for the Intercollegiate Association of Amateur Athletes of America from 1896 to 1928.[1][3]

Gustavus Town Kirby
Kirby circa 1914
President of the Amateur Athletic Union
In office
1911–1912
Preceded byGeorge Franklin Pawling
Succeeded byAlfred John Lill, Jr.
President of the United States Olympic Committee
In office
1920–1924
Preceded byRobert Means Thompson
Succeeded byRobert Means Thompson
Personal details
Born(1874-01-22)January 22, 1874
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
DiedMarch 28, 1956(1956-03-28) (aged 82)
Bedford Hills, New York
Spouse(s)Wilhelmine Stewart Claflin (1884-1941)
EducationColumbia University
Columbia University Law School

Biography

He was born on January 22, 1874, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[3]

He attended Columbia University, where he was on the track team from 1893 to 1895. While in college he organized a committee to send athletes to the 1896 Summer Olympics. He then attended Columbia University Law School. In 1896 he won the Intercollegiate Fencing Association championship.

Around 1912 he married Wilhelmine Stewart Dunn-Claflin (1885–1941).[4]

He was president of the United States Olympic Committee for the 1920 Summer Olympics and the chairman for the 1924 Summer Olympics.[3]

He became a widower in 1941 when his wife died at the LeRoy Sanitarium in New York City.[4]

He died in Bedford Hills, New York, on March 28, 1956.[1][3] He was buried in Saint Matthew's Episcopal Churchyard in Bedford, New York.

Footnotes
  1. "Gustavus Kirby, Leader In Sports. 'Elder Statesman' of Amateur Athletes Dead. Served on Olympic, A.A.U. Groups. Familiar Figure at Events. Found Time to Compete. Raised Fund in Ten Days". New York Times. March 29, 1956. Retrieved 2013-12-30.
  2. "G.T. Kirby Elected President Of A.A.U. Columbia University Man Defeats George W. Pawling for Athletic Office" (PDF). New York Times. November 21, 1911. Retrieved 2013-12-30.
  3. Bill Shannon. "Gustavus Town Kirby". New-York Historical Society. Retrieved 2013-12-30.
  4. "Mrs. Gustavus Kirby, Sport Leader's Wife. Daughter Of John Claflin Was Member Of Colony Club". New York Times. December 24, 1941. Retrieved 2013-12-30.
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