Gustavus Town Kirby Explained

Gustavus Town Kirby
Birth Date:22 January 1874
Birth Place:Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Spouse:Wilhelmine Stewart Claflin (1884-1941)
Death Place:Bedford Hills, New York
Education:Columbia University
Columbia University Law School
Office:President of the Amateur Athletic Union
Term Start:1911
Term End:1912
Predecessor:George Franklin Pawling
Successor:Alfred John Lill, Jr.
Office2:President of the United States Olympic Committee
Term Start2:1920
Term End2:1924
Predecessor2:Robert Means Thompson
Successor2:Robert Means Thompson

Gustavus Town Kirby (January 22, 1874 - February 28, 1956) was the president of the Amateur Athletic Union from 1911 to 1913.[1] 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.[2]

Biography

He was born on January 22, 1874, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[2]

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).

He was president of the United States Olympic Committee for the 1920 Summer Olympics and the chairman for the 1924 Summer Olympics.[2]

He became a widower in 1941 when his wife died at the LeRoy Sanitarium in New York City.[3]

He died in Bedford Hills, New York, on February 28, 1956.[4] [2] He was buried in Saint Matthew's Episcopal Churchyard in Bedford, New York.

Notes and References

  1. News: G.T. Kirby Elected President Of A.A.U. Columbia University Man Defeats George W. Pawling for Athletic Office . . November 21, 1911 . 2013-12-30 .
  2. Web site: Gustavus Town Kirby . 2013-12-30 . Bill Shannon . .
  3. News: Mrs. Gustavus Kirby, Sport Leader's Wife. Daughter Of John Claflin Was Member Of Colony Club . . December 24, 1941 . 2013-12-30 .
  4. News: 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 . . February 29, 1956 . 2021-01-25 .