George Williams (YMCA) later merged into Concordia University, with its former campus retaining the name Sir George Williams Campus. George Williams (YMCA) Sir George Williams (11 October 18216 November 1905) was an English philanthropist and founder of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA). The oldest and largest youth charity in the world, its aim is to support young people to belong, contribute and thrive in their communities. Williams was born on a farm in Dulverton, Somerset, England and baptized into the Church of England. As a young man, he described himself as a "careless, thoughtless, godless, swearing young fellow". After an accident, his
George Henry Williams age his family moved to Onondaga County, where was educated in public and private schools, including "Pompey Academy"; he did not attend college. Williams studied law under Honorable Daniel Scott having passed the bar in 1844 at the age of 21. In the same year Williams moved west, and practiced law in the Iowa Territory. After Iowa was admitted to statehood, Williams was elected district judge in 1847, serving until 1852. In 1853, Williams was appointed Chief Justice of the Oregon Territory by President Franklin Pierce. In 1857, at the Oregon Constitutional Convention, Williams urged that slavery be made illegal