There I Stayed for Some Time [STUD]

Meetings and conferences are getting canceled.  Certain staples are hard to find (I scoffed at the people hoarding hand sanitizer and toilet paper, but then I heard my library was closing for three weeks and I suddenly felt that panic).  Kids are being sent home from school and everyone's work is being disrupted.  I've been thinking about a way to address this new way of life we're looking at for at least the next few weeks, but kept coming up short.

But then, like an articulate knight in shining armor, Bill Mason sent an email to the Welcome Holmes listserv that encapsulated what so many of us are feeling.  I wanted to share this with everyone who reads this blog and may not subscribe to that email list because, well, it's just perfect:


Well, by now, this pandemic has had its effect on each and every one of us, including in the enjoyment of our Sherlockian activities.  In Nashville, we have cancelled our regular meeting of the Nashville Scholars this Saturday, and the weekly gatherings of the Fresh Rashers of Nashville have been suspended until further notice.  Holmes, Doyle and Friends in Dayton has been called off because all the restaurants and bars in Ohio have been closed by the governor--and Sherlockians cannot gather without food and alcohol, or at least I have never heard of such a thing.  Notices from around the country about cancelled scion meetings seem to come every day or so.  

This is all to be expected, I suppose, under the circumstances.  But all such crises have a finite duration, and--hopefully--other events later in the year will still be convened.

Sherlock Holmes, though, will endure, as he always has--he who was never born and so can never die.  And Sherlockians, thanks to such blog sites as WelcomeHolmes and literally dozens of others most of us have bookmarked, will continue to play The Game.  Most of you are on other forms of social media (I am not), and I suspect you have been active there.  In fact, as we control our personal social interactions for a few weeks, our virtual contacts may increase.  Our Sherlockian family also will endure.  

I have never believed (and current circumstances will not change my opinion) that electronic communication, as wonderful as it can be, will ever adequately substitute for face-to-face, personal interaction in the Sherlockian world.  But it is comforting to know that all of you are out there, and I imagine each of you sitting in an armchair beside a fireplace as the elements beat against the bow window, literally and figuratively, just as Holmes and Watson did at 221B Baker Street.  And I also like to think of each of you as being safe and well and as anxious to answer the call that "the game is afoot!" as I am.

Wishing each of you the very best.

Interesting Interview: Monica Schmidt

If you've been to a Sherlockian event in the past five years, you've probably seen (or had a drink with) Monica Schmidt.  Not content with staying home in Iowa, Monica makes her way to as many get-togethers as she can.  I've seen her give a few talks (one on book collecting vs. hoarding that made everyone in the room a little nervous) and love when her name pops up in the Baker Street Journal.  Monica is a tornado of Sherlockian energy and to meet her is to be swept up in it.  So hang on, because here comes the tornado now!

How do you define the word “Sherlockian”?
I’ve been a fan of Sherlock Holmes for more than 30 years and have enjoyed hundreds of different interpretations of the character in various forms of media.  For me, the term Sherlockian refers to a particular breed of Sherlock Holmes fan:  a student of the Canon whose knowledge is beyond the basic narrative of the stories and engages in the Great Game (which is an exercise in which we critically examine the original texts and make sense of the inconsistencies contained within, how it intersects with the real world, etc.).  Based on that definition, I didn't become a "Sherlockian" until my mid/late-teens.

I recognize my definition may not be a popular one because it is a narrower in scope than some would prefer.  However, I don’t see the term fan as a pejorative, and in fact, embrace it.  I am a fan of lots of things ranging from sports teams (Green Bay Packers), to book series (Harry Potter), to movies (I attend several film festivals annually), and TV shows (especially the BBC sci-fi show, Doctor Who).  Fan is a general term for an enthusiast, whereas Sherlockian is a very specific type of fan (kind of like all thumbs are fingers, but not all fingers are thumbs).  For many years, I avoided self-applying the term Whovian, (the Doctor Who equivalent of Sherlockian) and referred to myself as a Doctor Who Fan because term/title Whovian implies a level of knowledge surrounding the character and the various facets of the Whoniverse (which extends far beyond the original and new TV series) that I didn’t possess until six or seven years ago. 

A different, and perhaps more provocative, question might be “What does it mean to you to be a Sherlockian?”  And in answering that question, I think it means being part of a long-standing scholarly literary community and tradition that has united people from all demographics in their love of the friendship between the great detective and his Boswell.

How did you become a Sherlockian?
I’ve told the story of how I became a Sherlock Holmes fan many times before:  I was introduced to the character through a made-for-TV movie that aired in January 1987:   The Return of Sherlock Holmes.  My mother made me go to bed midway through the movie (I was 5 ½, after all), but I never forgot the classic pop-culture signifiers of Sherlock Holmes shown in the film.  A year or two later, I came across an abridged children’s edition of The Mysteries of Sherlock Holmes on my brother’s bookshelf, which I read over and over again. And then in 1991, I came across Jeremy Brett’s Sherlock Holmes on cable’s A&E. That is when I got really hooked as a fan of the character (and of Jeremy Brett’s portrayal).

But I didn’t become a Sherlockian until the mid-90’s.  One of my junior high teachers, Mrs. Patricia Cox, saw me lugging around a copy of the Canon and suggested I use a search engine on the Internet to research Swamp Adders and Tapanuli fever.  When I couldn’t find much information beyond a couple of small entries from obscure scholars and links to the Sherlock Holmes stories, Mrs. Cox introduced me to the concept of the Grand Game and how Sherlockians have sought to engage in scholarly research, trying to make sense of the minutiae in the Canon and explain away the inconsistencies and other facets of the stories.  This is what started me down the rabbit hole and, on the path, to becoming a Sherlockian.

What is your favorite canonical story?
The Sign of Four is my favorite.  It’s the story I was obsessed with as a teen, in part because I was trying to make sense of Holmes’s use of cocaine/morphine for recreational purposes while observing my eldest brother struggle with his addiction to similar substances.  My desire to make sense of Holmes’s use (and consequently, my brother’s use) forced me to go beyond the story and understand the Victorian cultural attitude towards cocaine use compared to the modern American view.  I also happened to really like the story.

But there is a special place in my heart for “The Red-Headed League,” “The Blue Carbuncle,” and “The Speckled Band,” as those were the short stories to which I was first exposed as a child.

Who is a specific Sherlockian that you think others would find interesting?
While scouring Wikipedia a while back, I came across Richard H. Hoffmann, BSI (1952, The Beryl Coronet).  He was a rather high-profile psychiatrist who treated several notable people for alcohol addiction, which is my specialty within the realm of mental health counseling.

Julie McKuras, BSI, ASH (who is also a Sherlockian I find incredibly interesting) did the vast majority of the heavy lifting on a biographical section on the website of the Vincent Starrett founded Sherlockian society, The Hounds of the Baskerville (sic).   If you look through the members section and click the links to the biographical entries, you’ll find a British diplomat whose name appeared in Hitler’s Black Book (W.H. Gallienne), the co-inventor of the polygraph test (Leonarde Keeler), a famous magician (Jay Marshall), and a rather notable author and poet (T.S. Eliot).  You’ll also find bio blurbs of some great Sherlockians both past and present on the site.

What subset of Sherlockiana really interests you?
Different Sherlockian scions and societies have a large variety of traditions and I am fascinated by learning the history of how they engage with Sherlockiana.  Some groups meet once annually, some once (or more) monthly, and one meets only every four years on leap day!  Some groups meet at libraries while others have elaborately planned dinners with menus that haven’t changed in decades.  Some groups really study their Canon and for others, the Canon almost seems like an afterthought.  To me, the how’s and why’s are truly fascinating, as it helps a younger Sherlockian like me gain an understanding and appreciation for those who came before me. 

As someone who goes to more Sherlockian events than most, what would be your sales pitch for someone who is on the fence about attending an event?
When you first start out engaging in the more social aspects of the hobby, it can feel incredibly intimidating. You walk into a room filled with people who have known each other for many years and you’re the new person who knows no one; you're a little scared and worried about how you will be perceived.  But, go anyway!  Sherlockians tend to be some of the most welcoming and nicest people.  And the vast majority are very interested in embracing new people to the hobby.

Take an opportunity to introduce yourself.  Ask people questions and listen intently to their answers.  Be humble, as you are on their turf and are there to learn if it is a good fit for you.  If, after attending, you decide that particular group’s style doesn’t mesh with you, that’s totally okay.

Sherlockiana is a lot like the rest of life:  you’re not always going to like or fit well with every group you encounter.  I encourage you to not give up and to continue your search for groups or events that fit you.  For example, I attended 221b Con a couple of years ago, which is more of a sci-fi convention style, fandom-focused event with a bit of traditional Sherlockiana in the mix.  It’s a wonderful event and I had a lot of fun, but it’s just not my preferred way to engage with Sherlock Holmes.  But that doesn’t mean others should not go and enjoy.

How has your profession as a mental health counselor influenced how you read the Canon? What things do you like to research related to Sherlock Holmes?  
My core understanding of the Canon stems from a time well before I was a mental health counselor, so my professional training didn’t really start influencing interpretation of the stories until a few years ago.  During BSI weekend in 2014, I had a late-night conversation with Jim Cox in which I was lamenting that so many laymen had weighed in regarding Sherlock Holmes’s use of cocaine and whether he was or was not an addict, and no one had really bothered to consult the clinical criteria.  Jim suggested that I write such an essay…and I thought, “Why not?”

That is when I started to examine the Canon through a more clinical lens.  Clinically and ethically, I am not allowed to twist facts to suit theories – I am limited in my ability to diagnose by what I can support from either the patient or reliable collaborative information (ex:  things Holmes says or Watson observes).  Therefore, I examine the text and look for passages that support, or do not support the various criteria of a diagnosis without any pre-conceived notions about the diagnostic conclusions.  So, this is why, after examining the text, I learned Holmes meets DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Cocaine Use Disorder, Severe and Watson does not meet the criteria for Problem Gambling Disorder.

Dorothy L. Sayers once wrote that the game "must be played as solemnly as a county cricket match at Lord's; the slightest touch of extravagance or burlesque ruins the atmosphere.”  I’ve tried to embrace that philosophy, taking my Canonical scholarship seriously, but also welcoming dissenters and counterarguments with open arms, because that allows the conversation (and scholarship/critical thinking) to continue.

What book would you recommend to other Sherlockians?
I’m going to cheat a little on this one:  I would recommend the Stephen Fry narrated audiobook of the Complete Sherlock Holmes.  There’s something very soothing and comforting about his narration. I would also happily listen to Stephen Fry read names and numbers out of a phone book because I so very much love the sound of his voice.  And anybody who thinks audiobooks are cheating when it comes to reading needs to check their premises – it’s different than the act of reading a book, but different does not necessarily mean bad.

Where do you see Sherlockiana in 5 or 10 years from now?
Just as every era has the film or television Holmes that it needs, I imagine the Sherlockian community will continue to evolve to be a reflection of its time.  Scholarship will continue and present us with new and creative theories about the stories and characters viewed from angles not yet considered.  More pastiches, parodies, and homages will be published as the last few stories enter public domain.  And with the emergence of a more participatory culture of fan-engagement, I anticipate there will be an even greater shift toward that direction (fanfic, fan art, costuming/cosplay, etc.) than we saw with BBC Sherlock when we have the next big wave of Sherlock Holmes-related media.

Despite that shift, I think there will still be plenty of room for traditional methods of engaging with the material and the literature. Ultimately, at the core of all of this activity will remain the Canon and the emphasis on the wonderful and unique friendship between its protagonists that is reflected on a daily basis in the Sherlockian community.     

This Fellow Jones [SIGN]

Sherlock Holmes and pop culture and been mixing in my mind lately.  But since I'm forty years old, it's not current pop culture; it's Indiana Jones. 

Hear me out on this.  I think the Indiana Jones franchise has eerie parallels to BBC's Sherlock.

We've been threatened with a fifth installment of the Indiana Jones movies for years, and no one I know wants another one.
Pointless articles keep popping up on Facebook about a fifth season of Sherlock even though it's not going to happen and no one I know wants another one.

And the hats.  Those iconic hats.

Both have had big names step away from the franchises, saying they are moving on to other projects.  Cumberbatch, Ford, Moffatt, Speilberg...

Both franchises' charismatic leads took the world by storm and were instantly copied by other studios.

There are some fantastic adventures in the first three go-rounds of each.

Both franchises really should have ended after their third installments while things were still good.

Each franchise invented a new family member for the fourth installment that took the overall arc of the franchise pretty far off the tracks.  Eurus Holmes may as well have been one the Crystal Skull aliens for all she had to do with the first three seasons of Sherlock.

Both franchises had offshoots that left a lot of people wondering if it was necessary (Sherlock's Victorian special and the Young Indiana Jones TV series).

And finally, I refuse to recognize the fourth installment of either franchise.  My headcanon ends with Moriarty on billboards and Indy riding off into the sunset with his dad.

Thanks for hearing me out on this.  It's important information to share with the world.

************************************************************************

P.S.  After writing this, I learned that young Indiana Jones went to a seance with Arthur Conan Doyle before sailing to America on the Titanic.  This is a book I think I need to read:

No Peace in Life [WIST]

This weekend was the latest meeting for the Jefferson Hopes of St. Louis scion and our topic was "The Illustrious Client."  Each member is expected to bring some kind of presentation for the meeting.  We had a lot of great discussions on quotes from the story, Violet DeMerville, China saucers, Marleybone road, and plenty of other subtopics. 

I chose to focus on Charlie Peace.  If you're not familiar with this name, it comes up in a "blink and you'll miss it" line where Holmes mentions that even criminals have admirable qualities.  Charles Peace was a true life criminal, arrested repeatedly for burglary and convicted of two murders.  Whole books have been written about him, but a quick scan of his Wikipedia page can give you some more details.

Coincidentally, I came across an article on Peace in the 1966 Spring Baker Street Journal that I sat down with yesterday afternoon.  Author Franklin Rhode tried to pinpoint where Holmes and Peace would have met and offers a few theories in the BSJ.  As you can see in my following paper, I strongly disagree with Rhode's theories.

Old Friends or Overstatements?

“My old friend Charlie Peace was a violin virtuoso,” Sherlock Holmes says during “The Illustrious Client” in 1902.  By then, Charles Peace had been dead for 23 years, having been executed in 1879.  But what was the relation between Holmes and Peace?  Or was a relationship even possible?

If Peace was executed in 1879 that leaves very little time for Holmes to get to know him personally.  According to most chronologists, Holmes didn’t begin studying detection until 1877 or 1878.  Burglar and murderer Charles Peace was widely known throughout England at the time, as the police force spent months looking for him.  Peace stayed constantly on the move, often changing his appearance to keep police off the scent.  Of course, Holmes would have read about this manhunt in the papers of the day.  Peace was eventually caught during a burglary in 1878 and his trial was a major event.  But these dates shorten the window even more, as I doubt Holmes could have made the acquaintance of Peace while he was on the lam.

So, could Sherlock Holmes have become “old friends” with Charlie Peace in between his final capture and execution date?  Even if Holmes had tried to visit Peace in jail in the two years before his execution, would this young man fresh from college have been given passage to such a prolific criminal?  I doubt it. 

More likely, Holmes studied Peace’s methods, specifically those of disguise and safecracking that would come in handy later on in his detective career.  Perhaps even Peace’s face was part of Holmes’s “pictures of celebrated criminals with which every wall was adorned” in his Baker Street bedroom in later years [DYIN]. 

There were many times that Holmes spoke in admiration of criminals.  Moriarty, or course, but he also referred to a child murderer as a “winning woman” [SIGN] and called John Clay “the fourth smartest man in London” [REDH].   So why wouldn’t Holmes respect Peace, who on top of all of his criminal activity, also had a history of playing violin on stage in his younger days?

As we’ve seen many times, you can’t always take Sherlock Holmes at face value.  I argue that Holmes is being facetious in his meeting with Sir James Damery.  Not his best look, as Damery is attempting to stop one of the vilest men in the entire Canon.

*****

On a lighter note, one of my friends texted me last night to point out that Charles Peace reminds him of Brain from Pinky and the Brain.  You be the judge:

Interesting Interview: Bob Katz

If you've been to an official BSI event, or any Sherlockian event on the eastern seaboard, you've probably seen Bob Katz there.  You are right in thinking that he is under the BSI.  You would also be right in a sense if you said that occasionally he is the - well, maybe that's taking things too far.  But Bob has been around long enough to have seen the growth of our hobby and be at the forefront of welcoming new Sherlockians into the fold over the past few decades.

If you own a book by BSI Publishing, Bob's been involved in it.  If you're a member of a scion in one of the original 13 states, Bob has probably visited (and plenty inland as well).  If you've ever wondered how the American Civil War affected Sherlock Holmes, Bob is the man to have a drink with.

But here's the thing: it would be very easy for Bob Katz to sit up in some Sherlockian ivory tower, but he's a wrecking ball of personality.  Bob will be one of the first people to stick out his hand and introduce himself to a new face at a Sherlockian gathering.  Case in point, he was one of two speakers at my first Sherlockian event, Nerve and Knowledge, years back.  I am not an outgoing person, but by the end of the night, we were at a table talking about book projects and why his son prefers Under Armor over Nike.  Bob just has a way of pulling you into his orbit.  I don't know if Bob Katz has ever met a stranger, and if you haven't had a chance to meet Dr. Katz, now's your time.

How do you define the word “Sherlockian”?
I try to keep this one simple. Anyone who is interested in Sherlock Holmes is a Sherlockian. I don't try to make distinctions or conditions. If you like Sherlock Holmes, that's good enough for me. We'll find something to discuss.

How did you become a Sherlockian?
I was introduced to Sherlock Holmes via a rainy Saturday afternoon viewing of a Rathbone film (I think "House of Fear") on local New York television. I was so enthralled by it that I dashed out of the house after the film ended and practically ran to the local library to find the stories in print. Once I had read the stories, I happened to come across Baring-Gould's biography "Sherlock Holmes of Baker Street" in a remainder pile in a NY bookstore. For me, the best part of the book was the bibliography at the end of the book. I learned about the "Baker Street Journal" and several of the cornerstone works of Higher Criticism. I was able to find copies of most through the local libraries and had read quite a bit by the time I finished high school.

Fortuitously (and without foreknowledge of the fact), I attended Haverford College, which was the alma mater of BSI founder, Christopher Morley. There was a reading alcove in the library named for him, replete with a comfortable sofa, and surrounding bookcases containing Morley's writings. I managed to intersperse Canonical commentary and my official studies throughout college. While in medical school, I came across an article about a running of the NY Silver Blaze race, which identified Julian Wolff as the leader of the BSI. I wrote to him and he replied with a suggestion that I subscribe to the BSJ. That brought me into contact with the wider Sherlockian world.

After finishing school and internship, I landed in Philadelphia for my residency training. By then, I had the time to join a Scion Society (The Master's Class, then chaired by our current BSI leader/Wiggins, Michael Kean). I became involved in their activities and things just spiraled from there. Even though I was in my mid-twenties, everyone treated me with great kindness and friendship. I knew I was in the right place.

What is your favorite canonical story?
I've always had a soft spot for "The Dying Detective". It's the most medical of the stories, takes place in the shortest time frame, has a truly malevolent villain, and a surprise ending. I was thrilled when I received the BSI investiture of "Dr. Ainstree", which is taken from that story.

Who is a specific Sherlockian that you think others would find interesting?
That's a really hard question. It's rare for me to meet a Sherlockian who isn't interesting. Sherlockians are the most well-read people I know. Their breadth and depth of knowledge on a huge variety of subjects is immensely impressive.

Of course, we're all interested in the early pillars of the Sherlockian world--Smith, Morley, Starrett, followed by Shaw, Wolff, Stix and so many others. Rather than pick just one individual, I'd rather focus on who has real meaning to me. One of the great pleasures of my life is sitting down to dinner with a small group of Sherlockians. It's great if they are old friends. It's great if they are people I've just met. We have so many shared experiences; so many shared interests; so many divergent, overlapping and/or different views. Spending a few hours in that surrounding is what epitomizes the Sherlockian experience and I'm perpetually interested in what others have to say.

What subset of Sherlockiana really interests you? What things do you like to research related to Sherlock Holmes?
I'll cover these together and largely defer to the question below. I've always been interested in the medical aspects of the Canon, along with the life of Dr. Watson. To a great extent, my choice of careers was influenced by the Canon. A detective makes deductions. A doctor makes diagnoses. It's the same process. As a result, most of my own research has been medically-oriented. But from time to time, my other lifelong interest, the American Civil War, sometimes creeps into my Sherlockian writing. But without Watson, we'd never know about Holmes.

How did you become involved with editing the BSI Press and how has it changed during your tenure?
Like so many things in life, my initial involvement with BSI Books came about by serendipity. At the BSI Dinner some years back, Andrew Fusco (Series Editor of the Manuscript Series) approached my dear friend, Andrew Solberg about editing "The Golden Pince-Nez" manuscript. Andy S had too many professional obligations and declined. Later that evening, Andy F asked me if I could take this on. I was getting ready to retire, but was still too busy to accept. A few minutes later, Andy S and I were seated together at the Dinner. We'd been close friends for decades and realized that if we worked together, we could do the book. So we walked across the Ballroom and offered to co-edit. Andy Fusco graciously accepted.

That started a collaboration that produced four books for the Manuscript Series and a stand alone book about Medicine in the Canon. Working with the entire BSI Press team has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of my Sherlockian journey. After handling several books, Michael Kean (who was then BSI Press Co-Publisher along with John Bergquist) asked me if I would succeed him as Co-Publisher and Acquisitions Editor. For some inexplicable reason, Mike K thought I was thorough and detail-oriented. Mike himself was getting ready to become the next Wiggins and facilitated the transition to my tenure.

I think it is more accurate to say the BSI Press has evolved rather than changed. It was started by Mike Whelan with a small number of publications. Over time, we've become a busier organization, with a substantial number of publications on a regular basis. The format of the books has become more standardized, which enables us to maintain the quality of the contributions. As the books gained wider distribution, more and more Sherlockians wanted to contribute to our books. This has widened the pool of talent available to us and attracted people with a wide range of backgrounds, knowledge bases, and skill sets. I'm very pleased with what we've been able to do over the years and know that we already have many new books in active production and development.

How have your years in the medical field influenced your appreciation of the Canon?
It's worked both ways for me. My reading of the Canon helped me to make a career choice. Once I was in medical school, my choice of a specialty (Pathology) was affected by aspects of the Canon. The Canon was written by a physician (Conan Doyle or Watson---take your pick). Joseph Bell was a role model. So many of the stories have significant medical facets. Holmes and Watson are introduced to each other by a physician, in a hospital laboratory. It's a pleasure and a privilege to be able to read the Canon through the eyes and perspective of a physician.

Although years apart, both Watson and I shared a common educational experience and share a common world view. It's just something that becomes a part of our DNA over time. Both the Canon and the medical profession somehow "make sense" to me. It was thrilling to have the opportunity to work with Andy Solberg on "Nerve and Knowledge" as we're both in health care and we were able to put all our years of experience to work in discussing medicine in the Canon.

What book would you recommend to other Sherlockians?
Can't pick just one---and why limit it. The Sherlockian literature expands and improves continually. Anything by Morley, Starrett, and Smith is a great starting point. The various annotated versions (both Baring-Gould and Klinger) make repealed readings of the Canon so much more fulfilling. Mattias Bostrom and Michael Sims have widened our horizons lately. Conan Doyle biographies got off to a good start with Carr, and Stashower and Lycett have added to our knowledge. The BSI Press Manuscript Series (and yes I'm biased) provides a unique view into the creative process. Nick Meyer turned our world upside down, and for the better, with 7%.

And when you run out of new books to read, just go back to the Canon. The Holmes stories have become a phenomenon because they get better with each re-reading. Some overlooked detail, some subtle nuance, some plot twist---these all become apparent anew each time you read the stories.

Where do you see Sherlockiana in 5 or 10 years from now?
There have been so many sentinel events that rock the Sherlockian world every few years---Gillette on stage, Rathbone on film, Brett on television. 7% reinventing the concept of the pastiche. BBC Sherlock dazzling us and proving that there's always a new way to look at things. And that's a limited list of everything that has influenced the Sherlocian universe.

Social media has added an entirely new dimension. So I don't exactly know how the Sherlockian world will look in five or ten years. But then, that actually doesn't matter. What counts, and I am absolutely positively certain of this, is that there will be Sherlockiana in five years, ten years, and beyond. It will bear similarities to the present. It will be radically different. But there will be a fixed point in the changing of the ages. The characters of Holmes and Watson, the relationship between Holmes and Watson, the sophistication of the studies involving Holmes and Watson----these will be the bedrock of the field.

And of perhaps equal importance, the friendships and relationships that are the glue of our unique society will be as strong as they have always been. All of that sustains us and impels us to take Sherlockiana into new and creative directions. Is there anything better than being a Sherlockian?

Education Never Ends

When I first started this blog in 2017, I toyed around with the idea of calling it "Some Poor Bibliophile" because my main interest in Sherlockiana is the books aspect.  For whatever reason, I went with Interesting Though Elementary, but my love of books continues as strong as ever.  

As I posted in one of my BSI Weekend posts, the Dealer's Room on Saturday was a sight to see.  Books, books, books, everywhere!  And it was here that I got what may be my favorite Sherlockian book of all time.  

"Education Never Ends: Educators, Education and the Sherlockian Canon" is only 210 pages long, but I deliberately took a few days to read this because I was enjoying it so much and wanted to savor every bit of it.  Obviously, as a Sherlockian and an educator, this book was right down the middle of my wheelhouse.  This is the third in the BSI Professions Series, the first two being on doctors and lawyers.  I never picked either of those up because I thought, "I'm not a lawyer or doctor so those books aren't for me."  But after reading "Education Never Ends," I realized that these books are made for everyone.  Yes, the doctors, lawyers, and educators will get an extra level of enjoyment from these titles, but they are very accessible to anyone out there.  In fact, "Canon Law" and "Nerve and Knowldege" are now at the top of my TBR list after reading this offering from the professions series.

But what's in this book that would appeal to the average Sherlockian?

The book is broken up into four sections, history of education in the Victorian era, what Sherlock Holmes's education might have looked like, examples of education in the Canon, and how Sherlock Holmes can be used in different classrooms (full disclosure: I have an essay in this section).

The first section, Education and the Victorian Era, is full of great history lessons of England during the canonical times.  Mattias Bostrom, who is never NOT informational, kicks it off with an overview of the education that Arthur Conan Doyle received, full of plenty of quotes from primary sources.  Kenneth Carr and Marino Alvarez follow that up with a one-two punch of essays on Holmes's Baker Street Irregulars and the types of schooling that would have been available to children in that social class during the time.  But the one that stuck out most to me was Richard Ryan's great piece on the board schools of England.  Being a modern day American, I had presumed that board schools were just the long-standing standard education of the day.  After reading Richard's essay, I will never take Holmes's predictions about the future of England at face value again.

The Holmes and Education section bounces around from topic to topic.  Since we know so little of Holmes's early life and these essays are all theoretical, that's to be expected.  Martin Fido gives an overall look at what the education of Sherlock Holmes's youth would have looked like as a child of a country squire.  Bob Katz, Henry Boote, and Curtis Armstrong all make cases for their own specific fields of medicine, music, and acting respectively in their essays arguing that Holmes received training in each of their own fields of study.  (In fact, I posted about Bob's chapter when I first heard it in 2017 as a great talk)  And three more essays round out this section showing how Holmes used certain skills picked up in his educational career in his detective work: Alex Warner on visualization, Katherine Ramsland on synthesis, and James O'Brien on the scientific method.

Bob Katz, 2017, arguing that Holmes received a medical education

As you can see, no specialized knowledge is needed for any of these early chapters.  The reader is carried along with historical information, theoretical musings, and canonical applications on every page.  The following section, Educational Reflections in the Canon, keeps that streak alive.  Even though this section only has two essays in it, they are the ones that I found myself tweeting about the most.  Timothy Greer gives a run down of teachers in the canonical tales.  And they do run the gamut of behaviors!  (IMO, Tim also has the two best lines in this whole book)  Now, you could make an argument that a history of the London libraries don't necessarily fit into a book about education.  You may be right, but it doesn't matter.  Catherine Cooke's chapter on the London library system of the 1800s and 1900s is worth the price of the book alone!

Only in the last section do things get a little technical.  Using Education to Promote the Study of the Sherlockian Canon: Essays for Educators is the section for the teaching nerds like me out there.  I would argue that these essays can be fun to see how some of us are getting a new generation interested in Sherlock Holmes, but wouldn't blame you if you skipped out on this one.

But wait!  Before you do, Francine Kitts has a great write up on the Beacon Society.  This one isn't just for teachers.  Anyone can enjoy the work that the Beacon Society is doing, and most of the Beacon Society members are not involved in education at all.  My one quibble with this book is that placing the Beacon Society chapter at the very end does it a disservice.  Even if you're not interested in the nuts and bolts of education, skip to Francine's article at the end.  It's a short one, and gives you great insight into what's going on in the world of Sherlockiana.

But if you are curious about how we educators are slipping Sherlock Holmes into our lesson plans (or you're a completest and refuse to not finish a book), the final section will take you through some very different and interesting ways it's being done.  Shannon Carlisle goes over how she has used the Canon in different elementary grades, I talk about how to get to kids in fifth grade before they become jaded middle schoolers, Tim Greer made me wish that I had a teacher like him in high school, and Ashley Polasek shows us that you can teach collegiate level classes in Sherlock Holmes, and somehow achieve that elusive dream: being a professional Sherlockian.

Marino Alvarez and Tim Greer have done a great job with this collection.  I was very excited to be asked to participate, but when I saw the list of other contributors, I was over the moon.  And let me tell you, the material that is in this small volume definitely deserves a spot on your shelf.

Interesting Interview: Elinor Gray

Elinor Gray emulates some of the best attributes of Sherlockiana.  She's welcoming, energetic, knowledgeable, and creative.  Like fellow western Sherlockian before her, John Bennett Shaw, she spreads Sherlockiana wherever she goes, joining or starting Sherlockian societies in every city she's lived in over the past few decades.  Her big tent approach to Sherlockiana has won over Sherlockians both old and new, and her energy has created new literature and events for all of us to enjoy.  

Elinor served as editor of the John H. Watson Society journal, The Watsonian, for three years and has published a lot of Sherlockian writing, with a full-length novel, a monograph, and appearances in five Sherlockian anthologies.  She co-founded The Retired Bee-Keepers of Sussex, keeps her own beehive, and is director of the Left Coast Sherlockian Symposium.  Having recently been married and now providing foster care for a lucky child, Elinor was kind enough to stay up late one night and answer my interview request.  

How do you define the word “Sherlockian”? 

To me, a "Sherlockian" is anyone who participates in community surrounding Sherlock Holmes. I think a Sherlockian (or a Holmesian, if you want to cross the pond) can have any level of involvement with the canonical texts or the myriad adaptations. I'm sure there are lovers of Holmes who exist in solitude, who have no interest in gathering with or talking to other fans, but to me the community is the most important. How else do you find out that the term Sherlockian even exists?

How did you become a Sherlockian?
I remember carrying around a battered Doubleday when I was in middle school, and watching Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century as it was airing in the early 2000s. Later, in college, I was between fandoms when Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes came out, and halfway through my second viewing of the movie I thought to myself, "surely there's fanfiction about this." I found a treasure trove on LiveJournal and on Liquidfic (this was before Archive of Our Own), and knew I had to go back and read the original stories again. The rest, I suppose, is history? After college, I moved to London on a student visa and got myself a MA in London Studies at Queen Mary University of London with a thesis on feminism in the early 20th century as portrayed through popular literature, or Sherlock Holmes and ladies bicycling. I was in London while Sherlock's special Christmas/time travel episode was being filmed, and got to spend a few cold days on #setlock. I lived with 221B Con-runner Crystal Noll during that time, and I'd consider it the peak of my participation in Sherlockian fandom.

What is your favorite canonical story? 

I have a strong fondness for The Solitary Cyclist, as well as Silver Blaze. 

Who is a specific Sherlockian that you think others would find interesting? 

I hope you have the chance to meet and spend time with Sonia Fetherston, a Sherlockian neighbor of mine here in Oregon. Sonia is one of the most interesting and generous people, and as a younger, queer Sherlockian I was grateful for her warm welcome. Sonia is a writer of renown and a collector of note, and is always sharing canonical quotes and interesting tidbits on Twitter. She is a delight to follow and chat with, and I always look forward to spending time with her over lunch or at Sherlockian gatherings.

What subset of Sherlockiana really interests you? 

As a reader and writer of fanfiction  I'm interested in the subset of fic, pastiche, and anything that asks "what if"? I love the room there is in the canon to explore– the gaps Conan Doyle left for us to fill– and telling stories about those gaps. There's so many different interpretations possible in fanfiction/pastiche, and I especially love that none of them have to cancel out any other one. All pastiche is valid in its own way, and readers can choose to absorb (or "headcanon") aspects of different extra-canonical stories to fill the gaps they're particularly interested in. Are Holmes and Watson in love with each other? Did Moriarty commit all those crimes? Is Irene Adler really dead? Maybe. Maybe not. Let's explore it.

What things do you like to research related to Sherlock Holmes? 

Maps. I love maps. A few that I reference frequently while writing are Charles Booth's poverty map, and this ordinance overlay map of Victorian London in Incredible Detail by the National Library of Scotland. I also love maps of Sherlockian locations and theorizing about the layout of 221B. Spacial relations lend authenticity to fic, and I like getting into the weeds on street intersections and the duration of carriage rides. I consider London a character in the canon, and the changes it has experienced over time tell its story beautifully. 

Two part question: What was the impetus for the Left Coast Sherlockian Summit and what can folks look forward to next year?

The Left Coast Sherlockian Symposium was started out of jealousy for all the gatherings and goings on on the east coast that west-coast Sherlockians don't always get to participate in, given the cost of flights from one side of the country to the other. There are several west coast societies, and a few get-togethers on the calendar (such as the International Sherlockian Summit hosted by the Sound of the Baskervilles), but since Sherlock Seattle went on hiatus, nothing with a convention format exists over here. I waited a few years, but it became apparent that no one was going to put anything together for me, so I'd better do it for myself. I wanted to create a space where more "traditional" Sherlockians and "new fandom" Sherlockians could get together, compare notes, trade experiences, and make friends. I pride myself in being a crossover point for the old guard and the new, a canon fan who grew up online, and I like bringing people together to find common ground on something we all love.

Patrick Ewing, my friend and the current Grand Gander of the Noble and Most Singular Order of the Blue Carbuncle (Portland, OR's scion society), will be taking the reins for 2020, as my personal life has gotten more complicated with the addition of a wife, a new job, and a foster child. I'll still be participating in the running of the show, I just won't be quite as high up. Patrick will be keeping the format pretty much the same (one track of speakers, with vendors and extra-conference events), so folks can look forward to interesting and engaging talks on new topics, time to spend with friends both old and new, and the opportunity to explore a cool city!

It seems like everywhere you've lived you find or start a Sherlockian society.  What is the most important part of Sherlockian fellowship in your opinion? 

Intentional inclusivity is the most important factor to me when it comes to fellowship and community. I've been part of societies which are very open and welcoming to younger fans and adaptation fans, and I've been part of those which look askance at millennials and TV shows. I've had more fun at the ones that don't ask quite as many questions about your Sherlockian provenance or your canonical credentials, and which are concerned with everyone having a good time and celebrating the thing/man/character that brought us all together in the first place. I also think intentional awareness of a group's diversity goes a long way, and welcoming fans of color and queer people makes a group stronger and more interesting. Sitting around affirming one another's readings of the text is all well and good, but running into someone who reads it differently or brings a different life experience is so valuable and has applications beyond how many wives Watson may have actually had.

What book would you recommend to other Sherlockians? 

In perhaps a break from tradition, I recommend Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovich, 

Where do you see Sherlockiana in 5 or 10 years from now? 

I hope there is another adaptation out, or perhaps that latest RDJ/Jude Law film we've been promised, and with it a new influx of fans to mingle with. I see women and other people who aren't cis men being admitted to the BSI at a rate more commensurate with their participation in the community since the beginning. I predict a few more run-ins among Sherlockians over whether fanfic is a good ("legitimate") way to explore a text or whether reputation trumps behavior. The sea of Sherlockians will always be widening, and I hope in a decade it'll be easier for those of us long-steeped in our comfortable communities to welcome the new perspectives. I don't see any signs of the global enthusiasm disappearing; perhaps only waning in the dry months. I'm looking forward to the next reason to gather.