David Silverstone
David Irving Silverstone (December 25, 1907 – June 17, 1971) was a Canadian fencer from Montreal.
Silverstone was born to a Jewish family in Montreal, the son of Abraham Silverstone (1872–1926) and Rose Small (1874–1950). His older brother Henry Leo Silverstone (1901–1964), was also a prominent fencer.[1] In 1929, Silverstone was elected vice-president of the Montreal Y.M.H.A., and immediately after worked to establish the Y.M.H.A. Fencing Club, serving as the group's first president.[2] In 1942, Silverstone won all three weapons (foil, épée, and sabre) at the Quebec national fencing championship,[3] and in 1951, Silverstone won the fourth spot to play for the Canada fencing team at the 1952 Summer Olympics. However, due to his Jewish background, Silverstone was denied credentials on the Canadian olympic team who cited financial reasons for their decision, despite Silverstone's offer to cover his own expenses.[4] The following year, Silverstone was a Canadian delegate at the 1953 Maccabiah Games, where he won a bronze medal in the épée category.[5][6] In 1954, Silverstone was elected as the secretary of the Province of Quebec Fencing Association (PQFA) and largely retired from professional fencing.[7] His son, Abbey Silverstone is an also a noted fencer and cofounder of Silicon Graphics.
References[edit]
- ^ Postal, Bernard; Silver, Jesse; Silver, Roy (1965). Encyclopedia of Jews in Sports. Bloch Publishing Company. p. 203.
- ^ "Fencing News". The 'y' Beacon. 12 Apr 1929. p. 4.
- ^ "Dave Silverstone Wins Three Fencing Crowns". The Montreal Gazette. 23 May 1942. p. 20.
- ^ Shaikovitch, Ab (18 Jul 1952). "Jews in Sports". The Canadian Jewish Chronicle. p. 7.
- ^ "Canadian Maccabiah Team". The Canadian Jewish Chronicle. 16 Oct 1953. p. 10.
- ^ "Montrealer Places In Foils Event". Edmonton Journal. 26 Sep 1953. p. 22.
- ^ "From Montreal" (PDF). American Fencing. 6 (2). December 1954.