“The invention of basketball was not an accident. It was developed to fill a need. Those guys just wouldn't have played 'Drop the Handkerchief'” (James Naismith Quotes). In November 1861, the inventor of “basketball” was born in Almonte, Ontario, Canada (Biography of James Naismith). But it never crossed his mind that he would be the creator of one of the most popular world sports known to man (James Naismith…: Inventor of Basketball). Dr. James Naismith had the physical foundation of a good athlete. As he matured, he developed the characteristics of a modest and down-to-earth man. Mr. Naismith was a natural athlete and leader. During his childhood he was often admired by his peers (Biography of James Naismith). On the sixth day of November in the year 1861, the eldest son and second son were born to Scottish immigrants, John Naismith and Margaret Young Naismith, in the Lanark district of Ontario, Canada. His hometown was on the outskirts of suburban Almonte, Ontario (Biography of James Naismith). James had an older sister, Annie, and a younger brother, Robbie (James Naismith). When James was just eight years old, James and his family moved to Grand Calumet, where his father, John, began working as a hacksaw (The Lincoln Library of Sports Champions 124-127). But when James was just nine years old, he was orphaned because both his parents died because they contracted typhoid fever while working in the milling community (Biography of James Naismith). After the death of his parents he was sent to live with his maternal grandmother. But they did not live there for long. James Naismith's grandmother died and once again the Naismith children were moved to the home of their maternal uncle, Peter Young. Peter was the brother... in the center of the card... Naismith...: the inventor of basketball. EBSCO Industries, Inc. April 8, 2011.direct=true&AuthType=ip,custuid&custid=s8455861&db=mih&AN=12922187& site=src-live>James Naismith Quotes. Think exist. April 14, 2011.Kartha, Deepa. Biography of James Naismith. Buzzle.com. 11 April 2011. The Lincoln Library of Sporting Champions. Cleveland, OH: Eastword Publications Development, Inc., 2004.Logan, Bob. Naismith, James. Student of the world book. April 8, 2011.Logan, Bob. World Book 14. Chicago, IL: World Book, Inc., 2008.Terning, John. James Naismith. April 8. 2011.