Post-War BSI Dinners
Christopher Morley. Letter to Nathan L. Bengis. January 2, 1947.
Letter from Christopher Morley to Nathan L. Bengis, January 2, 1947.
The growth of the BSI from a small dinner club to a much larger organization was not without controversy. In this letter to a prospective BSI member, founder Christopher Morley expresses his opinion—at length—that the memory of Sherlock Holmes is best served by a return to the writings and by meetings of small groups of like-minded people. Morley writes: “The little group that first met back in 1934 had no intention of starting a mass-movement.”
Through the diplomatic efforts of Edgar W. Smith, Morley was eventually persuaded to set aside his objections. Morley continued as an enthusiastic participant and the BSI continued to grow. The group also continued to limit its membership to men only.
BSI Dinner menu and photograph, 1949.
BSI Dinner, 1949
In the 1949 photo, Christopher Morley sits next to Edgar W. Smith, and right up front is future Lilly Librarian David Randall.
Click to view the corresponding names of the attendees in the photograph.
BSI Dinner menu and photograph, 1962.
BSI Dinner, 1962
By the time of the 1962 photo, leadership of the BSI had passed to Julian Wolff. Among the attendees of the 1962 dinner are Peter Blau, Rex Stout, and William Baring-Gould.
Click on the image to view the full menu and included sketches.