James Naismith
Family Life
I was born, November 6, 1861. I lived near Almonte Ontario, in Canada. When I was almost 9, my father came down with deadly Typhoid Fever. It was very contagious, so me, my sister Annie and my brother Robbie went to my grandmothers house. A few days later my father died. Two weeks later, my mother Margaret, died of the same disease. A short time later, our grandmother Annie Young, died of old age. My brother Robbie had a terrible pain in his side. We all thought it was just a stomachache. It was actually a very bad infection right next to his stomach. Robbie died after the first stab of pain.
Back round
I married Maude Sherman on June 20th, 1894. We planed on having 5 children. We had those 5 children. We moved to Denver, Colorado, in 1895. There I became director of Physical Education at the largest YMCA in the country. I had seen people have terrible accidents. I wanted to be a doctor and help people. I became a student at Gross Medical College. In 1898, I graduated as a Medical doctor. In 1916, I became a minister in the United States Army.
How I Became Famous
In 1891, I was assigned to invent an exciding indoor game. It had to be ready in 2 weeks. It was my deadline. " Duck On A Rock", inspired me. On December 21, 1891 Basketball was born. After that, my old friend, Alonzo Stagg had become the most famous football coach in the whole country. Alonzo wanted me to work at the University of Kansas. So I sent a telegram to the University. After that, I got the job as a assistant Physical director at the University of Kansas in 1898. By 1909 I was a Professor, a preacher and a Medical doctor. Later on, I became the Head Coach for Basketball at University of Kansas.
Were I Am Now
Sadly, I died on November 28, 1939. I was only 78. I died of a Heart Attack in Lawrence Kansas. I saw Basketball become an Olympic sport in 1936, 3 years before I died.
Interesting Facts
My wife, Maude Sherman, died in 1937. Later, I married Florence Mae Kincaid, 2 years before I died.