Gilbert O. Erickson

Gilbert Oscar Erickson was a college football player, photographer, and one of the founders of the National Literary Society of the Deaf as well as its first secretary.

Early years

Gilbert Oscar Erickson was born on February 10, 1878, in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.

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

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. Erickson became deaf due to scarlet fever. He was the first secretary of the National Association of the Deaf.

He was the cameraman for the Wallace Press for thirteen straight years.