And so under - where the giants rest

I was listening to the latest IHOSE episode this morning, interviewing Peter Eckrich and Rob Nunn on their new anthology of articles on impactful Sherlockians. The book is available from Wessex Press, and is titled 'On The Shoulders of Giants: Great Sherlockians Remembered'. 

I started reflecting on where these Sherlockians rest now, and a previous post of mine on the resting places of prominent Sherlockians (titled 'There Was No Mistaking It For Anything But A Newly Dug Grave'). There is already some overlap between the interments I'd included, and Rob/Pete's new book. One difference is that my list included British people also, and some of my list included actors and illustrators who were impactful on the popularity of Sherlock without being Sherlockians/Holmesians themselves.

So I thought it might be nice to create a list of graves that complemented the Table of Contents of the new book. As I put the list together I hope to crowd-source a couple of solutions. One that still lingers from my previous post is: where is Edith Meiser resting? I still don't have an answer to that question.

I often wonder whether brass Sherlock markers would these graves. Then I remember that they'd likely be stolen.

1. Christopher Morley, written by Steven Rothman

The grave of Christopher Morley (1890 – 1957), the man who founded the Baker Street Irregulars, and well-known author and journalist. Morley is buried in Roslyn Cemetery, Roslyn, Nassau County (Long Island), New York, USA.

Christopher Morley

Born Haverford, Penna.

May 5, 1890

Died Roslyn, New York

March 28, 1957

2. Edgar W. Smith, written by Rich Krisciunas

The grave of Edgar W Smith (1894 – 1960), the man who wrote early influential articles, self-published via his imprint 'The Pamphlet House', led the Baker Street Irregulars, founded the Baker Street Journal and was its first editor. In 'real life' Smith was prominent as Vice-President of General Motors. Smith is buried in New Vernon Cemetery, New Vernon, Morris County, New Jersey, USA.

Edgar Wadsworth Smith

Apr 1 1894 - Sept 17 1960

To me, this is an eminently American grave marker, with minimal information and no biographical details. It is in some ways surprising that someone as successful as Smith would have such a modest marker.

3. Ben Abramson, written by Bruce Harris

The grave of Ben Abramson (1898-1955), first publisher of the Baker Street Journal and founder of the Argus Bookshop in Chicago and then New York. Abramson does not appear to have a grave. The Chicago Tribune gives a clue that he was cremated - which may or may not have been taken place:

Chicago Tribune - Sun, Sep 25, 1955 ·Page 207

Ben Abramson made a final request which may be unique even among bibliophiles... He asked that his body be cremated and his ashes strewn on the steps of the Newberry library.

4. Vincent Starrett, written by Ray Betzner

The grave of Charles Vincent Emerson Starrett (1886 – 1974), the man who wrote 'The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes', Sherockian, bibliophile. Starrett is buried in Graceland Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Ray Betzner created a lovely blog post on the cemetery, Starrett's grave, and other nearby important graves (such as Alan Pinkerton).

There's also a wonderful book by Don Izban titled 'Sherlock Holmes Visits a Cemetery' (Battered Silicon Despatch Box, 1999) that highlights graves in Gracelands Cemetery. The centerpiece is Starrett, but it also includes the Allan Pinkerton grave among others.

5. James Montgomery, written by Burt Wolder

James Montgomery (1898-1955), a renowned singer, released a recording of Baker Street songs and created Christmas annuals. Stephens is interred at West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, USA.

Montgomery

James Stephens

1898-1955

6. Katherine McMahon, written by Tamar Zeffren

The grave of Katherine McMahon (1907-1999), one of the original solvers of the Sherlock Holmes Crossword Puzzle, and among the first women welcomed into the BSI. McMahon completed the puzzle correctly in 1934, but she was not extended an invitation because she was a woman. Her resting place is at Sunset Memorial Park Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico, USA - Sec RG Wall 1, lot 7. I am yet to source a photograph of the cremation plaque.

 

NO PHOTO

7. Edith Meiser, written by Erika Dowell

The grave of Edith Mesier (1898-1993), the woman best-known for creating the first Sherlock Holmes radio play series from 1930 onwards. Her resting place is:

NOT KNOWN

8. William Anthony Parker White, pen name Anthony Boucher, written by Terence Faherty

The grave of Anthony Boucher (1911 – 1968), mystery writer, critic, and writer of Sherlock Holmes radio dramas. Boucher is buried in Mountain View Cemetery Oakland, Alameda County, California, USA. Currently

NO PHOTO

9. William Baring-Gould, written by Phillip Bergem

The grave of William Baring-Gould (1913 – 1967), the man who created the first annotated Sherlock Holmes,  chronologist, and author of a fictional biography of Holmes. In real life, he was a creative director at Time Magazine. Baring-Gould is buried in Pound Ridge Cemetery, Pound Ridge, Westchester County, New York, USA.

NO PHOTO

10. Frederic Dannay, one half of the pen name Ellery Queen, written by Ira Brad Metetsky

The grave of Frederic Dannay (1905 – 1982), half of the team that made up the famous Ellery Queen mystery writer and compiler. Dannay is buried in Mount Hope Cemeterym Hastings-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York, USA.

Frederic Dannay

Beloved husband, father, and grandfather

(Seeking translation of Hebrew)

Oct 20 1905 - Sept 3 1982

11. E.W. McDiarmid, written by Erica Fair

The grave of Errett Weir McDiarmid (1909 – 2000), librarian and academic who volunteered for and donated to the University of Minnesota Special Collections unit, and founded the Norwegian Explorers scion. McDiarmid is buried in Greenwood Memorial Park and Mausoleum, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas, USA. Currently resting place:

NOT KNOWN

12. Lenore Glen Offord, written by Sonia Fetherston

The grave of Lenore Glen Offord nee Glen (1905 – 1991), literary critic, mystery writer and the first female member of the Baker Street Irregulars. McDiarmid is buried in St. Mary's Cemetery, Oakland, Alameda County, California, USA. 

Robert A. Glen 1855-1955

Lenore G. Offord 1905-1991

Ann Mary Offord 1931-1995

13. John Bennett Shaw, written by Matthew Hall (me!)

The grave of John Bennett Shaw (1913 – 1994), the man who made evangelized, corresponded, and collected Sherlockiana. Shaw is buried in Rosario Cemetery, Santa Fe, Santa Fe County, New Mexico, USA.

SHAW

John Bennett Oct. 10, 1913 - Oct. 3, 1994

Dorothy Rowe Apr. 29, 1924 - Nov. 24, 1999

Catherine Mary Nov. 20, 1951 - Dec. 6 2010

14. Ely Liebow, written by Ray Betzner

The grave of Dr. Ely Liebow (1924 – 2007), academic and Sherlockian who wrote a definitive biography of Dr. Joseph Bell. I believe Ely is interred at Shalom Memorial Park, Arlington Heights, Cook County, Illinois, USA, plot 4 CARMEL / 1089 / 4:

Beloved husband, father, grandfather

Ely M.

(translation required)

May 23, 1924 - March 30, 2007

15. Francine Morris Swift, written by Liese Sherwood-Fabre

The grave of Francine Morris Swift (1938 – 2007), Sherlockian and long-time member of the Adventuresses of Sherlock Holmes. I believe Francine is interred at St. Alban's Columbarium, Wisconsin and Massachusetts Avenues, NW, Washington DC. As of now I have:

NO PHOTO

16. Paul Herbert, written by Mike McSwiggin and Ralph Hall

The grave of Paul Herbert (1938 – 2018), Sherlockian author and scion founder. Paul is buried at Arlington Memorial Gardens, Mount Healthy, Hamilton County, Ohio, USA. The lovely touch is that this headstone bears a Sherlockian reference:

HERBERT

The best and wisest man whom I have ever known

Paul D 1938-2018

To him she was always "the woman"

Barbara A 1941-

20. Susan Rice, written by Curtis Armstrong

Susan (died 2020) was a Sherlockian mentor to many, and in the first cohort of women welcomed into the BSI in 1991. Thanks to Susan's wife Mickey Fromkin, and can share exactly where Susan reside - Manhattan: "This Sherlock Holmes ceramic tobacco jar (surmounted by her post-chemo wig and tiara) contains most of Susan’s ashes. Some have been, or will be, scattered in significant spots. I brought the jar to her memorial gathering and put it on a chair with a Tito’s vodka martini. She would have approved." Thank you Mickey for sharing.

21. Helen Elizabeth Wilson, written by Vincent W. Wright

The grave of Helen Wilson (1878 – 1902), the first Sherlockian and chronlogist. Helen died in Manhattan, but is buried at Grove Cemetery, Bath, Steuben County, New York, USA with her family:

Helen E Wilson

Only daughter of B.C. and Martha D. Wilson

Born Oct 4 1878

Died Nov 14 1902

The searching continues..... this post will be updated.

17. Gordon Speck, written by Joe Ekrich

18. Susan Diamond, written by Marsha L Pollak

19. Jon Lellenberg, written by Julie McKuras