November 24 in A.A. History

In 1895, John Paul S. [right], commonly known as Paul, was born to Emma Savercool and Charles S. in Pennsylvania, likely near Scranton, where he was christened on 29 December. He would meet Dr. Bob S. in January 1936 and sober up on 2 July 1936. His story, “Truth Freed Me!” would appear in the first edition of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous.

In 1939, Mrs. J. J. Stewart of Seattle, Washington [left: skyline, 1938], whose husband was an alcoholic, wrote to the Alcoholic Foundation, stating, “[W]e have the book Alcoholics Anonymous and have read it.” She then inquired about the presence of any A.A. unit in Seattle. Almost three months later, the reply suggested she reach out to “the growing Fellowships in San Francisco and Los Angeles.” Mrs. Stewart’s letter marked Seattle’s first contact with A.A., and she would eventually play a role in establishing the city’s first A.A. group, although her specific contribution remains unclear.

In 1942, Rev. Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick [right] was the speaker at the 8th anniversary dinner of the Manhattan A.A. group. In 1939, he had written the first favorable review of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, for Religious Digest, although it was first published by the Alcoholic Foundation in April 1939. 

In 1976, Elise Valentine Shaw, 85, died [left: memorial service announcement, The Bridgeport (CT) Post, 26 Nov 1976 ]. She was Lois W.’s oldest and closest friend (since childhood); the widow of Bill W.’s Wall Street patron, Frank Shaw; and the matron of honor at Bill and Lois W.’s wedding.