BIOGRAPHY OF JAMES NAISMITH

  • 1861: Born on November 6 in Almonte, Ontario, Canada. Son of John and Margaret Young.
  • 1867-1895: He attended the grade school at Bennie's corner. Almonte.
  • 1873: After the death of both his parents, plus his maternal grandmother, he lives with his uncle and aunt, Robert Young and Ann Mason.
  • 1875: Enters Almonte High School but two years later leaves his studies for four years on returning he graduates in 1883.
  • 1883: Enters McGill University in Montreal where he earns a BA. He participates in football, rugby, lacrosse and ground gymnastics.
  • 1887: Enters the Presbyterian college of theology in Montreal and obtains a diploma in 1890.
  • 1890: Departs for America and Springfield College in Massachusetts.
  • 1891: At the end of his studies he becomes a professor at Springfield where he stays until 1895. During his vacation he goes to Martha's Vineyard to learn about the Swedish principles of gymnastics to adopt at his training school. In the autumn he takes up a seminar in psychology created by Dr. Luther Halsey Gulick, the director of the PE department. There is a need to create an interesting indoor game.
  • 1892: Basketball becomes a big success: so successful in fact it is published in 'Triangle' magazine under the title 'A New Game'. In the same issue there is a story about 'dibujo' introduced by the Japanese Genzaburo Sadakui Tshikawa. In January, Frank Mahan demands the game be named 'Naismith Ball' but Naismith refuses.
  • 1894: On June 20 he marries Maude E. Shermann from Springfield. The couple will have five children: Margaret mason (1895), Helen Carolyn (1897), John Edwin (1900), Maud Ann (1904) and James Sherman (1913). Together with Gulick he publishes the rules in the "American Sports Publishing Company".
  • 1895: Moves to Denver to become PE director at the YMCA where he'll stay until 1898. At the same time he is attending the University of Colorado Medical school and graduates in 1998.
  • 1898: Becomes assistant director of the gymnasium at Kansas University.
  • 1909: Becomes a professor and doctor at Kansas University.
  • 1910: Receives a honorary Masters degree in PE.
  • 1911: Publishes "A Modern College".
  • 1914: Captain in the Kansas First Infantry regiment
  • 1915: Becomes a Presbyterian Minister.
  • 1916: Sent to the Mexican frontier with his regiment for four months
  • 1917: Nominated as YMCA Secretary and spends 19 months working in France. Returns in 1919.
  • 1918: Publishes the "Essence of a Healthy Life".
  • 1919: Director of Kansas University PE section until 1937.
  • 1925: Takes American citizenship.
  • 1936: Under the NABC initiative funds are created from the contribution of coaches, players and spectators to send Naismith to Berlin.
  • 1936: Inauguration ceremony in Berlin (April 7): A tribute from the organizational committee he throws the ball for the first match of the Olympic Games.
  • 1937: His wife dies. On March 3 he becomes Professor Emeritus in Kansas and retires at the age of 76 from the University.
  • 1938: Receives the Legum Doctorate degree at McGill University.
  • 1939: Honorary Doctor of Divinity at the Presbyterian College in Montreal (April): On June 11 he marries Florence Kincaid in Lawrence (Kansas): November 19: suffers a brain hemorrhage; November 28: dies of a heard attack aged 78 at his home 1515 University Drive. Lawrence.
  • 1941: Posthumously voted Member of the PE. His master work, "it's Origins and Development" is published by the Associated Press Basketball. He was a member of the Republicans and honorary president of the American Association of Coaches.
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