Category: News

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The First “Consultation”

The Society’s first Consultation was held at the home of Don and Joanne Yates on Saturday, April 13, 2013, from 12 noon to sometime after dark. Five of the Founding Members were present and a quorum was called. By-Laws 1 and 2 were, at all times, respected and By-Law 5 was given very adequate exercise.

The Chair, Prof. Yates, officially welcomed into Founding Membership Peter Blau, Michael Kean, Donald Pollock and Bruce Taylor. Appropriate toasts were made to each Founder.

The first “Consultation” was held as a part of a large gathering to celebrate the birthday of Don Yates. “The Woman,” Dr. Joanne Yates, prepared a sumptuous feast of authentic Argentine deliciacies, some specially flown in from the long, pointy country to the south, including chorizo, grilled sweetbreads (delicious), empanadas (beyond delicious), and Argentine beefsteak, grilled to perfection. A selection of Napa Valley wines rounded out the participants.

Much discussion was devoted to Watsonian and Sherlockian topics and speculation. Later, after feasting and liberal tastings, naps were noted.

A memorable day; a wonderful gathering; a singular and very special feast; an historic “Consultation.”

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Birthday Wishes to Prof. Don Yates

The Founding Members of the Society extend their warm good wishes to Prof. Don Yates, BSI and Founding Chair, on the date of the official formation of the Society, April 11, 2013, during a celebration of Don’s birthday. Many more years and the joys of Watsonian and Sherlockian explorations! By-Law 5 was honored.
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A Call for Papers

The John H Watson Society is accepting papers and manuscripts for publication in the forthcoming Fall 2013 and Spring 2014 issues of “The Watsonian.”The usual deadline for the Fall issue is being adjusted for 2013 due to the lateness of the year. The Fall submissions should reach the Society by September 15, 2013 for October 15 publication. The Spring issue deadline remains as described on “The Watsonian” webpage, January 15, 2014.

Membership in the Society is not required in order to submit papers, but it is encouraged. Students are encouraged to submit papers or manuscripts for the Watsonian Prize.  All others are encouraged to submit papers or manuscripts for the Yates, Pollock, or Col. Ted Schulz Awards.

The Society is particularly interested in articles concerning Dr. Watson’s life, medical practice, books and stories, and relationship with Sherlock Holmes. Papers should have a distinctly Watsonian view as opposed to the Sherlockian view.

Research papers concerning specific Watsonian subjects and his writing are also encouraged and include enumerative, descriptive and analytical bibliographical research into the Sacred Canon and John H Watson’s biographical work regarding Sherlock Holmes.

Creative writing, in the form of short stories, multi-part stories, or poetry are also requested and include pastiche and original work in the manner of Dr. Watson.

Journalistic articles and writing concerning Dr. Watson and the Sacred Canon, as well as examples of newsleters, print and online communications, and innovations strengthening the bonds between Watsonians and Sherlockians, and Watsonian, Scion and club ephemera, such as toasts, quizzes, special programs, are all encouraged for submission.

Papers and articles concerning the creation, building and development of specialized libraries and book collections concerned with the Watsonian and Sherlockian milieu are desired by the Society and encouraged for submission.

The Society will consider, equally, Traditionalist and Revisionist works.

Papers should be submitted in Word document format, preferably in a 4 x 6 page size, 12 point, single-spaced, with 1 inch top and bottom margins and 0.5 inch side margins.  Journalistic articles, newsletters and ephemera should be sent to the society, either electronically or in original.

Submissions should be made to publisher@johnhwatsonsociety.com .

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Charter and Student Memberships Established

The John H Watson Society announced the creation of Charter Memberships to be given through December 31, 2013.

Also announced are Student Memberships to be given at no cost to full-time or part-time students enrolled at an institution of higher learning. A reduced subscription cost for the Society’s journal will be the only charge for students.

Details for both membership categories will be found on the Society’s website on the Membership Information page.

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Awards and Prizes of The Society Established

The Society has announced the establishment of three annual Awards and one annual Prize for scholarship, research and creative writing pertaining to John H. Watson, M.D. and his contributions to the literary genre of Detective Fiction.

The Yates Award, named for the renowned translator and Sherlockian scholar, Prof. Donald A. Yates, PhD, BSI “The Greek Interpreter,” The Napa Valley Napoleons of S.H., seeks to recognize works of scholarship in translation to further the dissemination of Watsonian research and scholarship worldwide.

The Pollock Award, named for the renowned Sherlockian scholar, editor and author, Prof. Donald Pollock, PhD, MD, The Five Orange Pips, seeks to recognize works and research concerning The Hound of the Baskervilles, arguably John Watson’s finest book.

The Col. Ted Schulz Award, named for renowned  late Sherlockian Col. Ted Schulz, BSI, “The Amateur Mendicant Society” and judged by the equally renowned editor and Sherlockian scholar, Michael H. Kean, PhD, BSI “General  Charles Gordon,” The Diogenes Club of the Monterey Peninsula, seeks to recognize original creative writing concerning John H. Watson, M.D.

The Blau Award, named for the renowned Sherlockian scholar and journalist, Peter E. Blau, BSI “Black Peter,” S.H.S.L., The Red Circle of Washington, D.C., seeks to recognize works of journalism, communication, and ephemera of Watsonian and Sherlockian Scions and clubs.

The Taylor Award, named for the renowned bookman and librarist, Bruce Taylor, NVNSH, seeks to recognize excellence in library building and book collecting within the Watsonian and Sherlockian milieu.

The Watsonian Prize, an annual, endowed scholarship prize of $500 is awarded by the Director of Publishing and Editor-in-Chief, Joanne Yates, PhD., to an enrolled university student writing the best scholarly article pertaining to John H. Watson, M.D. to appear in the official journal of the Society, “The Watsonian”  during each publishing year.