Thomas Curtis

At the first day of the first modern Olympic Games, Curtis advanced to the 100 metres final by winning his heat with a time of 12.2 seconds. He later withdrew from that race to prepare for the 110 metres hurdles final, which was his main event at the Olympics. That competition turned into a personal race between Curtis and Grantley Goulding from Great Britain after Frantz Reichel and William Welles Hoyt withdrew. At the start Curtis gained a small lead, but Goulding reached him at the first hurdle. At the last hurdle, Goulding was leading, but Curtis managed to throw himself to the line first. The officials stated that Curtis had won by 5 centimetres. Both athletes had a time of 17.6 seconds. He did serve as captain in the Massachusetts National Guard and acted as a military aide to Massachusetts Governor Calvin Coolidge during World War I. His service reflected both military commitment and a connection to prominent political figures of the time. He also participated in the development of the toaster and published several humorous memories about the first modern Olympic Games. The most famous of them is High Hurdles and White Gloves (1932).

• Name — Thomas Curtis • Born — 9 January 1873 • Birthplace — San Francisco, California, U.S. • Died — 23 May 1944 • Place of death — Nahant, Massachusetts, U.S. • Height — 5 ft 9 in • Weight — 146 lb • Sport — Sprinting • Event — 100m, 110m hurdles • Medal Templates — Men's athletics • Show Medals — yes

The authorities additionally record the headings Thomas Pelham Curtis and Tom Curtis. His recorded language was English. He was the child of Herbert Pelham Curtis and Anna Isabella Curtis. He married Francis Kellogg Small. One child is recorded: Clarissa Curtis.