George Williams (YMCA) place was the YMCA, which he founded on 6 June 1844. It promoted Muscular Christianity. One of the earliest converts and contributors to the new association was George's employer, George Hitchcock. It also provided a safe place for young men and women. Williams was knighted by Queen Victoria in her 1894 Birthday Honours. After his death in 1905, he was commemorated by a stained-glass window in the nave of Westminster Abbey. Sir George Williams is buried in St Paul's Cathedral. Sir George Williams University in Montreal, which was founded by the YMCA, was named in commemoration of Williams; it was
George Williams (priest) connection with the college but Williams retained his post until 1856. From 1854 to 1857 Williams was vice-provost of King's College, Cambridge, and in 1858 he acted as pro-proctor to the university. He was unpopular, and his nomination as proctor was rejected by the university senate on 1 October 1860, the nonplacets being 29 and the placets 26. In 1858 Williams took temporary charge of Cumbrae College in Buteshire, and was appointed an honorary canon of there in 1864. The college had been founded in 1849 by George Boyle, 6th Earl of Glasgow, a Tractarian layman. Williams made a long