The Society is honoured to report that Robert Katz, MD, JHWS “Willow” has graciously volunteered to represent the Society as our “Unoffical Ambassador” (in true Holmesian and Watsonian “irregular unofficialness”) during the Baker Street Irregulars Annual Weekend in New York City. He will endeavor to inform BSI members and others of the worthy pursuits of The John H Watson Society and to encourage interest in our activities and collegiality.
Dr Katz is a renowned Sherlockian with a special interest in reaching out to young people with enthusiasm for the Canon. He has distributed copies of The Watsonian to young readers and encourages them to submit articles to our journal.
“Willow” has a highly distinguished Sherlockian and Watsonian history and will be a most able, qualified and enthusiastic Ambassador of our Society.
His biography follows:
“I have been a Sherlockian since my early teens, but John Watson has always seemed to be the focal point of my interests. I received my BA from Haverford College (alma mater of all three Morley brothers) and then received my MD from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. I trained and worked in a variety of places before settling in Morristown, NJ, in 1987, and recently retired after 35 years of practicing Pathology. In 1983, I received the Titular Investiture of “Dr. Ainstree” from The Baker Street Irregulars and in 1995 I received the Two-Shilling Award. I founded The Epilogues of Sherlock Holmes, in New Jersey, in 1990. I am also the current Headmastiff of The Sons of the Copper Beeches in Philadelphia. My ASH investiture is “Dr. Jackson”. In addition, I have served as both Commissionaire and Gasogene of The Six Napoleons of Baltimore and am a member of The Five Orange Pips. I am an active member of most of the scion societies in the New York area (including Mrs. Hudson’s Cliffdwellers and The Montague Street Lodgers).
I have had the pleasure and honor of speaking at many scion society meetings, the John Bennett Shaw workshop in Williamsburg, and at several of the Annual Dinners of The Baker Street Irregulars.
I have been published in The Baker Street Journal, The Baker Street Miscellanea, The Serpentine Muse, and various scion society publications. Most recently, I co-edited with Andrew Solberg (also a Charter Member of this group), the latest volume in the BSI Manuscript Series, entitled The Wrong Passage. Andy and I are currently working on another volume in this series.
Perhaps because of our mutual profession, perhaps because I admire his personality so much, Watson has always fascinated me. I am pleased and proud to be joining an organization devoted to his remarkable life and admirable works.”
