Gaylord S. White

Gaylord Starin White was recognized, by those who knew him best, as a man who at a strategic time played a part of genuine importance in the city’s social and philanthropic life. Dr. White was called from the pastorate of the City Park parish in Brooklyn to be headworker of the Union Settlement, one of the earliest in date of foundation among enterprises of the kind, and one of the most important centers of work in the Upper East side. Under his leadership, extending over a period of more than twenty years, the settlement developed from a modest experiment housed in two small adjoining houses to the large institution of today, covering thirteen city plots. His influence soon extended to other forms of civic work. He was one of the founders and the first president of the United Neighborhood Workers’ Association, the organization which brings together for conference and common action all the social workers of the city. In his later life he became Professor of Applied Christianity at the Union Theological Seminary, and its dean. Modest and self-effacing in personality, yet with a quick mind and a kindly humor, he impressed those with whom he mingled as the incarnation of simple goodness.

Alexander Dana Noyes
1932 Century Association Yearbook