Lee F. Hanmer

Who is Lee F. Hanmer?

Lee Franklin Hanmer was the director of the recreation department of the Russell Sage Foundation from 1912 to 1937— in that capacity, he helped to found the Boy Scouts of America. He later helped to form the Campfire Girls of America — now Camp Fire —in 1912.

Hanmer attended Cornell University and New York University. He worked in the New York City school system, serving as a physical training supervisor from 1903 to 1906 and then as athletics inspector through 1907. He then worked as a secretary of the Playground Association of America before moving to the Russell Sage Foundation.

In 1910, Hanmer was selected as a member of the American Committee for the 1912 Summer Olympics.

Hanmer directed recreation for servicemen during World War I. He was later a chairman of the Motion Pictures Producers and Distributors Association.

The BSA presented Hanmer with the ninth Silver Buffalo Award in 1926.