Gilbert O. Erickson

Gilbert Oscar Erickson (February 10, 1878 – March 26, 1951) was a college football player, photographer,^[1] and one of the founders of the National Literary Society of the Deaf as well as its first secretary.

Gilbert O. Erickson
Born	Gilbert Oscar Erickson (1878-02-10)February 10, 1878 Fergus Falls, Minnesota
Died	March 26, 1951(1951-03-26) (aged 73) Miami, Florida
Occupation	Photographer
Known for	1st secretary of the National Literary Society of the Deaf
College football career
Gallaudet Bison
Position	Halfback
Class	1903
Personal information
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight	162 lb (73 kg)
Career history
College	Gallaudet (1900–1902)
Career highlights and awards
All-Southern (1901)

Early years

Gilbert Oscar Erickson was born on February 10, 1878, in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.^[2][3]

College football

Erickson was a prominent halfback for the Gallaudet Bison of Gallaudet University.^[4] In 1901, Erickson was selected All-Southern; George Andree was also a halfback for Gallaudet. Erickson was captain in 1902.

National Literary Society of the Deaf

The National Literary Society of the Deaf was founded on February 6, 1907, in Washington, D. C. by Erickson and five other men by the names of John B. Hotchkiss, Rev. Herbert C. Merrill, Albert F. Adams, Rev. Arthur D. Bryant, and Roy J. Stewart.^[5] Erickson became deaf due to scarlet fever.^[6] He was the first secretary of the National Association of the Deaf.^[6]

Photographer

He was the cameraman for the Wallace Press for thirteen straight years.^[7]