William E. Quinn, for six years coach of the hurdler and field event men of the University track team, died at his home early yesterday morning. He had been in poor health for about three years previous to his death, and had been ill in bed since before Christmas. His death was not unexpected as his physicians gave up hope of recovery several weeks ago.

Coach Quinn, who was 33 years old, was a professional athlete and trainer of wide renown. In Bernardsville, N. J., he started his career as instructor of a boys' athletic class. Later his work attracted several New York men, and he was engaged as coach successively by the Far Hills (N. J.), A. C., the West Side A. C. of New York, and later by the New York Athletic Club.

In 1906 Quinn came to Harvard as coach of the hurdler and field event men. His present contract with the Athletic Association, renewed in 1911, would have expired this year. During this time "Bill" Quinn has developed two intercollegiate teams, and in 1909 the Athletic Association granted him an "H" in recognition of his work.

Quinn's greatest athletic specialty was trick and fancy skating, and before coming to Harvard he filled several public engagements in exhibitions. Although Quinn weighed only 140 pounds and was only 5 feet, 8 inches tall, he had many good track records. He was a sprinter as well as a weight thrower and jumper. His records, some of them unofficial, include the following: broad jump, 24 ft., 1-8 in.; high jump, 6 ft., 1 58 in.; pole-vault, 11 ft., 4 in.; high hurdles, 16 3-5 sec.; 100-yard dash, 10 3-5 sec.; 440-yard dash, 54 1-5 sec.; 12-pound shot, 46 ft.; 12-pound hammer, 196 ft., 2 in.; 16-pound shot, 41 ft., 2 in.; 16-pound hammer, 157 ft., 7 in.

Three years ago Coach Quinn while throwing the 56-pound weight, received abdominal injuries from which he never recovered. His condition became serious during the fall, and at the end of the track practice he went to Virginia for a short vacation. On his return to Cambridge he was taken to the Massachusetts General Hospital, but a month ago his physicians gave up hope of his recovery, and Quinn returned to his home. He declined steadily until his death yesterday morning