Charles Ward Crampton was born on May 26th, 1877 in New York City. He attended the College of the City of New York, New York University, and graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York in 1900. It did not take long for this young physician to begin contributing to the medical field. Crampton devoted a large part of his professional career as a doctor to research and development within many different aspects of medicine. His primary focus was to be an active contributor to public service, much like the work of his father, Henry E. Crampton, M.D. He conducted most of his medical research in the field of geriatrics and gerontology, growth and development of adolescents, physical fitness and hygiene in the public school systems, preventative medicine, and personal medical records. He was a major in the U.S Army Medical Reserve and during World War I he acted as Special Adviser to the U.S Army Department of the East. He played an important role as a writer for the Boy Scout’s magazine, Boys’ Life with a column titled “Keeping Physically Fit” from 1934 to 1937. In addition to conducting research for the medical field, Crampton kept his own private medical practice in New York City, and sat as chairman on many committees in which he held expertise on the particular subjects. As a mentor, Crampton was an instructor at the College of Physicians and Surgeons and an assistant professor of Medicine at Columbia University.

In the area of school physical fitness and hygiene Crampton contributed to the growth and development of many school programs. He directed the erection of gymnasiums and athletic fields, instructed 22,000 teachers in health matters (including new ideas for courses of study), and organized the subdivision of Educational Hygiene. It is because of his work within the public school systems of New York City that helped to prepare students and teachers during the influenza epidemic in the early 1900s.

In the area of blood pressure and circulatory system research, Crampton created what is called today, “the Crampton Test”. This is a test for physical condition and resistance in which one’s pulse and blood pressure are recorded both in the resting and standing positions. This test is also sometimes referred to as the Crampton Test for Fatal Shock because of the results that the test may yield for potential shock after surgery. This test was also used in the Aviation Department and the U.S Navy.

As a leader within the medical community, Crampton was the chairman of the committee on physical fitness through the Federal Security Agency in the 1940s, the chairman of the committee on the health of adolescents, a section on health education, the welfare council in the 1930s, and the chairman for the sub-committee on Geriatrics and Gerontology through the medical society of New York County in the later 1940s to early 1950s.

In addition to these committees, he was also the founder and president of the Aristogenic Association in the 1930s in New York City. Aristogenics is defined by Crampton as such: “While Eugenics and Kakogenics are generally understood to refer respectively to consideration of good and evil in the sphere of Genetics, Aristogenics refers to the best.” In essence, this committee sought out men who held estimable qualities to be examined and recorded as the solution for the prolongation of the human race. These men were often leaders, as racial survival, according to this association, depended upon good leadership. These qualities were recorded for future scientists to take the information and help prolong the lives of people with these characteristics, as well as transmit these qualities onto future generations of people.

In the area of Geriatrics and Gerontology Crampton devoted his research and work to helping the elderly maintain a degree of physical fitness in order to prolong their lives. He focused on developing prevention of chronic illness and postponement of deterioration through personal examinations, medical research, and constructive care. He also focused on more effective treatments of disease and disability in age and brought efforts forward towards de-aging or rehabilitation and restoration. Crampton’s persuasive thoughts on preventative medicine and keeping an up to date personal medical record tie in well with his contributions towards these goals within this area of medicine.

His research on the important links between posture and health relate also to his work within the public school health and physical fitness area of advocacy. He explains with photographs in many articles what correct posture looks like and what bad posture looks like. He also seeks to find better ways of measuring good and bad posture amongst subjects. He also proposes many suggestions on how to treat poor posture and help people to feel better by correcting their posture.

In 1928, Crampton was working at the Health Service Clinic of the Post Graduate Medical School in New York. As physician, he had the unique opportunity of examining the men who were to participate in Admiral Byrd’s Antarctic expedition. He did a thorough analysis of each individual to make sure that they were able to complete the strenuous journey.

In direct relation to Springfield College, Crampton’s work involving dance was discussed in a Calisthenics class from the 1910-1911 school years. He also gave a lecture during the school year of 1911-1912 titled, “Some Phases of Physical Training in New York City.” There is evidence in the college catalogues of professors using his published work in their classes from at least 1907 up until 1926.

Crampton’s role as a leader, mentor, and professional writer are all demonstrated within his articles for Boys’ life. The series of articles written by Crampton make up the heart of this collection. Between the years of 1934 and 1937 boy scouts from all over the country wrote in to ask Crampton questions about any topic in the realm of physical fitness. Some articles include advice on diet, exercises and stretches, strategies and techniques within various sporting games, and questions about growth and development. Crampton’s vast knowledge of adolescent life and health contribute to the success of this article. Crampton’s work with the Boy Scouts of America, eventually led to him receiving the Silver Buffalo Award, the Boy Scout’s Highest award for distinguished service to youth, in 1941.

Charles Ward Crampton died in 1964.