Names on the buses

753 Sir George Williams

Connections with Brighton and Hove : 1821 - 1905
Born in Dulverton, Somerset, George was a farmer's son and attended school in Devon. At the age of 13, he left school and worked on his parents' farm. When he was 16, he was apprenticed to a firm of Drapers in Bridgwater, before moving to London in 1841 to carry on the same trade. He progressed rapidly, becoming a manager three years later and marrying Helen Hitchcock, the daughter of his employer. They had seven children. He was an active and evangelistic member of the King's Weigh House Congregational Church. In 1853 he became a partner in his employer's business and in 1863 he became sole owner. George was a committed Liberal and offered to contribute funds towards the election campaign of Charles Reed who became MP for Hackney in 1868. George believed that the conditions for young, working men were terrible. In 1844 he formed a group with 11 other drapers and founded the YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association). This was intended to promote Muscular Christianity and provide a space where young men would not be tempted into sin. The organisation exists to this day, in 120 different countries and is headquartered in Geneva. It principally works to provide facilities and educational means to promote healthy bodies and minds. When he died, he was also president of the Band of Hope, the London City Mission, the Railway Mission and the YWCA (Young Women's Christian Association). Several educational establishments have been named in his honour in Montreal, Wisconsin, and Hong Kong. He was knighted in 1894.

753 ADL Enviro400 - carried name since December 2025.