Godfrey Dewey

Godfrey Dewey
Born(1887-09-03)September 3, 1887
New York City, New York, United States
DiedOctober 18, 1977(1977-10-18) (aged 90)
Lake Placid, New York, United States
NationalityAmerican
EducationHarvard University
Known forthe Olympics, English spelling reform
Parent(s)Melvil Dewey, Annie Godfrey

Godfrey Dewey (September 3, 1887 – October 18, 1977)[1][2] was the president of the Lake Placid Organizing Committee and a winter sports facility designer.[3] He was largely responsible for the successful candidature of Lake Placid for the 1932 Winter Olympics.[4] In addition to his role as the U.S. ski team manager he was chosen as the flag bearer for the 1928 Games in St. Moritz, Switzerland.[5] Dewey was elected to the U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame in 1970.[6]

Godfrey Dewey was the son of Melvil Dewey, the inventor of Dewey Decimal Classification,[7] and his first wife Annie Godfrey. He was the father of Katherin Dewey, who, in 1940, piloted her bobsleigh to victory in the US Championships alongside male brakemen; women were subsequently banned from competing with men. Godfrey went on to become the honorary chairman of the Phonemic Spelling Council.[8] His work on World English Spelling may have influenced the development of SoundSpel, as he and Edward Rondthaler corresponded from 1971.

  1. ^ [1]. Godfrey Dewey at 90, an Educator; Got 1932 Olympics for Lake Placid. Accessed March 26, 2022.
  2. ^ Godfrey Dewey. U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame. Accessed November 16, 2011.
  3. ^ U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame. "Godfrey Dewey". https://skihall.com/hall-of-famers/godfrey-dewey/, accessed 22 Sep 2021.
  4. ^ Bowen, Ezra. Hey—what Do You Say We Have An Olympics? December 3, 1962. Sports Illustrated. Accessed October 29, 2011.
  5. ^ 1932 Lake Placid Winter Games Archived April 2, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Olympics at Sport-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Accessed October 29, 2011.
  6. ^ "Godfrey Dewey". Accessed 22 Sep 2021.
  7. ^ Dr. Melvil Dewey Dead In Florida. December 27, 1931. The New York Times. Accessed October 29, 2011.
  8. ^ Tune, Newell W. Spelling Progress Bulletin Archived 2012-04-14 at the Wayback Machine. Spring 1978. Accessed November 16, 2011.