Gulick, Luther Halsey

1865–1918

Physical Educator and Author

Luther Halsey Gulick contributed to the field of physical education and helped redefine middle-class manhood during the Progressive Era (1890–1915). Born into a family of Congregational ministers, Gulick devoted his life to promoting and intertwining physical education and male spirituality.

Gulick held several influential positions in the field of physical education. He headed the gymnasium department at the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts (1887–1900); served as director of physical education in the public schools of New York City (1903–08); held the presidencies of the American Physical Education Association (1903–06) and the Public School Physical Training Society (1905–08); and cofounded the Playground Association of America with educator Joseph Lee in 1906 (and served as its first president).

Central to Gulick's ...