Ralph C Smedley
From Founders District
Revision as of 11:49, 25 June 2019 by Division C Director 2016-17 (Talk | contribs)
Ralph C Smedley was the founder of Toastmasters. Beginning in 1905, he started speech clubs in Illinois and San Jose, CA, but the concept took off when he remained for many years in the environs of Santa Ana, CA beginning in the 1920s. Ralph C. Smedley died in 1965.
World Headquarters maintains a museum in honor of Ralph C. Smedley.
The original club founded by Dr. Smedley in Santa Ana still exists and is known as Smedley Chapter One.
See also Smedley Distinguished.
