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Mr. Fries was a Swedish ecumenical leader. He was also one of the International YMCA College, now Springfield College, Corporators. He was a founding member of the Students' Missionary Association in 1884. After joining the YMCA in 1886, he helped John Mott form the World's Student Christian Federation (WSCF) in 1895, an organization designed to conduct Christian missionary work among students around the world. He became its first president. When World War I began, Fries worked closely with Mott to establish the War Prisoners' Aid program in "belligerent" nations. In 1921, the date this picture was taken, he became the General Secretary of the World's Committee and served in that capacity until 1926.
A penned caption on the back reads "Fries, Robt", it is believed this was a mistaken assumption. Another stamped caption reads "A. Wikfund. Stockholm. Regeringsg 9.";