Young Men's Christian Association founded

Historical Context Note

Litencyc Editors (Independent Scholar - Europe)

The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.07: English Writing and Culture of the Victorian Period, 1837-1901.
Vol. editors: Gillian Fenwick (University of Toronto), Jessica Gossling (Goldsmiths College, University of London)

Domains

Church of England (Anglicans)

Dates

Date of occurrence 1844

Places

United Kingdom (Location)

Resources

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The Young Men's Christian Association was set up as a means of supporting the well-being and moral welfare of young men working in London. The draper George Williams started a Bible study and prayer group for some of his fellow workers. He was concerned that there were not enough healthy leisure occupations available to this group, and too many were resorting in consequence to taverns and even brothels. His group was so successful that similar groups were soon established in other major cities, as well as across London. Within a year, it was expanding into other areas, offering public lectures and educational courses, creating places for reading and refreshments, and later also to holiday camps. Just over a decade after it was first conceived of, Henry Dunant proposed that a worldwide…

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149 words

Citation: Editors, Litencyc. "Young Men's Christian Association founded". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 30 August 2013 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=4872, accessed 24 April 2024.]

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