William Buckingham Curtis

Bill Curtis (circa 1870)
Harry Buermeyer (left) and Bill Curtis (right), c. 1870
N.Y.A.C. Track Team, Bill Curtis (middle)

William Buckingham "Father Bill" Curtis (January 17, 1837 – June 30, 1900) was one of the most important proponents of organized athletics in the late 1800s in America.[1] Curtis had a remarkable career as a competitor, official, sports editor, organizer, and administrator. He was known as "Father Bill" in the athletic world. The death of Curtis at the age of 63 while climbing Mount Washington brought forth an outpouring of testimonials from the sports world and recognition as a "father of American amateur athletics".[2]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference obit was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Wettan, Richard G. and Willis, Joe D. "William Buckingham Curtis: The Founding Father of American Amateur Athletics, 1837-1900," Quest, 27 (Winter 1977), 28-37.