February 26 in A.A. History

In 1940, Bill W. replied [left] to John D. Rockefeller’s letter dated February 23, in which Rockefeller expressed his regret for being unable to attend the large dinner he had planned to host for A.A. (his son, Nelson, hosted in his stead).

Dear Mr. Rockefeller:
    On an occasion such as this one can seldom write as deeply as he feels.
    You and your friends have offered us the finest thing you could ever give—your confidence. To merit this trust, to meet the responsibilities, to fulfill the purposes implicit in that evening at the Union Club is our great desire. In no other way shall we ever be able to thank you.
    I hope you may always depend upon us for a good measure of discretion, true humility and simple faith in The Great Physician who has already brought us so far.
                                    Sincerely yours,
                                    <signed William G. Wilson>
                                        Wm. G. Wilson
                                             for
                                    Alcoholics Anonymous

In 1962, Warren C. of Canton, Ohio, a merchandising manager for Superior Dairy Co., shared his A.A. story at the Dover (Ohio) Kiwanis Club. The following day, his speech—attributed to him by full name—appeared at the bottom of page 1 in Dover’s newspaper, The Daily Reporter, under the title “Don’t Fluff Off The Alcoholic!”

In 1999, Felicia G. [right]—author of “Stars Don’t Fall” in the 2nd and 3rd editions of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous—died at age 93. She was born in 1905 in Blansko, in what is now the Czech Republic, to the fortune-hunting Polish Count Józef G. and Chicago-born newspaper heiress Eleanor Medill Patterson, granddaughter of Joseph Medill, the founder of The Chicago Tribune.
    In 1908, her mother took her away after a violent fight with her father, who later kidnapped his daughter from London and placed her in a Russian convent. Her return required intervention from President-elect William Howard Taft with Czar Nicholas II.
    The “little Countess,” as the newspapers called her, married (1) Andrew Pearson—renowned as Drew Pearson, one of the best-known American columnists of his day, noted for his syndicated newspaper column “Washington Merry-Go-Round” and his NBC Radio program Drew Pearson Comments—in 1925, but divorced him three years later; (2) Dudley de Lavigne, an impoverished insurance broker, in 1934, a marriage that lasted less than a year; and (3) John Magruder, a landscape architect, in 1958, whom she divorced in 1964.
    For most of her professional career, she went by her maiden name. In her later years, she wrote for American magazines and newspapers, lived in New York and elsewhere, and authored novels and short stories. In her 1939 novel Flower of Smoke, the Austrian-American heroine famously declares, “Make your own peace, no matter what.”

February 25 in A.A. History

In 1951, a Regional Conference took place in Jacksonville, Florida, beginning at 2:30 PM in the assembly room of the Mayflower Hotel. Representatives from all groups in North Florida were invited to elect an Area Delegate for the newly established Area 15, Northern Florida. The chosen delegate would represent the area at the first annual General Service Conference in New York City.
    The invitation [right] stated that this Conference…

    will act as a “guinea pig” for ob­servers from the Southeastern region, so that they may return to their respective districts with an excel­lent knowledge of the correct procedure in the formation of their group districts.

    Among those in attendance was Bill W, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous.

In 1951, President Richard M. Nixon replied to a letter from Thomas P. “Tom” P. that suggested that Nixon apply the 12 Steps to the Watergate situation by substituting the word “Watergate” for “alcohol” in the 1st Step and then “conscientiously apply the rest of the 12 Steps” to his own situation.

THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
February 25, 1974

Dear Tom:

    Before another day passes, I wanted you to know that I received your very thoughtful let­ter of February 1. Many times in the past I have had occasion to thank you, but I must say once again how much it means to know I have been able to count on the loyalty and under­standing of so many long-time friends.

    I deeply appreciate your suggestions and the genuine spirit of concern and goodwill in which they were made. As you know, in several televised press conferences I accepted responsi­bility along the lines you discussed. Further, on a number of occasions I have pledged my full cooperation to the Special Prosecutor and to the Judiciary Committee so that the in­vestigations can be concluded, the guilty parties brought to justice, and those innocent of any wrongdoing may be cleared and, hopefully, have their good names and reputations re­stored. However, I have also stated that I will follow the precedent set by every other United States President of never doing anything that weakens the Office of the President or impairs the ability of future Presidents to make the great decisions that are so essen­tial to this Nation and to the world. This has been a difficult period not only for me but for all Americans, and when this and related matters are brought to a full and just reso­lution, I am confident the majority of the American people will come to understand that the trust they placed in me has not been violated.

    In the meanwhile, it is a source of constant reassurance to me to have the support of friends like Katherine [Tom’s wife] and you and to be included in your prayers. Pat joins me in sending you both our warmest personal regards.

        Sincerely,
                   <initialed “RN”>

February 24 in A.A. History

In 1941, the March 1 issue of The Saturday Evening Post [right: cover], with Jack Alexander’s article, “Alcoholics Anonymous: Freed Slaves of Drink, Now They Free Others,” appeared on newsstands.
    In Toledo, Ohio, newcomer Garth M. was handed 40 nickels and sent on a mission to visit magazine outlets, purchasing a total of 40 copies.

In 1996, [some sources say 1995] the Online Intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous (OIAA) began operations.

In 2002, Hal M., 86, died of renal failure at Cherrydale Rehabilitation Center in Arlington, Virginia, with 37 years of sobriety. He was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.
    A former Air Force lieutenant colonel, alcohol and drug abuse counselor, and State Department employee assistance chief, Hal played a pivotal role in establishing drug and alcohol awareness programs at U.S. embassies worldwide. On 3 December 1970, he testified anonymously before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.
    Hal also designed special “attitude of gratitude” pins, which he wore on his lapel and distributed by the thousands. He always carried extras to share with other alcoholics, encouraging them to embrace gratitude for their sobriety. Over time, he became affectionately known as “Dr. Attitude of Gratitude.”

February 23 in A.A. History

In 1940, John D. Rockefeller Jr. wrote a letter to Bill W., expressing his regret for being too ill to attend the recent dinner for A.A. “the other night [Feb 8],” where his son Nelson had stepped in as host.

In 1948, The Deseret News of Salt Lake City, Utah, published a nearly full-page article titled “Photographic Series Depicts Work of Alcoholics Anonymous.” The piece featured photographs and text showcasing the efforts and impact of Alcoholics Anonymous.

In 1959, Alcoholics Anonymous received “Recording for the Blind” permission^* to create an audio recording of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, through the Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D), now known as Learning Ally.

---

^* Since A.A. has always had the right to produce audio versions of its own literature, it is unclear why this permission was obtained.

In 1978, H. Alfred “Al” S. [left], 74, died in West Palm Beach, Florida. He had served A.A. as Director of the New York Intergroup Association, Class B (alcoholic) Trustee (January 1958–April 1961), director of A.A. Publishing Inc., director of A.A. Grapevine, Inc., and editor of the A.A. Grapevine (1948–1952). He was also the author of the Responsibility Declaration and the Declaration of Unity.

    His mother, Ella Marks Wenrick, had been the secretary to Emmet Fox. As a result, Bill W., Ebby T., Al, and others regularly attended Fox’s talks in New York City, often securing mezzanine seats.

In 2021, Pastor John Baker, co-founder of the Christ-centered (and non-A.A.) program Celebrate Recovery,  died. 

February in A.A. History (day unknown)

In 1968, the first openly gay Alcoholics Anonymous group, the Friday Night Fell Street Group in San Francisco, California [right: meeting location of the group, 261 Fell Street, 2007], was founded by gay alcoholics for gay alcoholics. It was held in a public venue and openly publicized as a gay meeting both within and outside of A.A. In 1975, the Fell Group became one of the first gay groups to be listed in the A.A. World Directory and was eventually included in San Francisco’s local directory as a gay meeting.

February 21–23 in A.A. History

In 2014, the Sedona Mago Center for Well-Being and Retreat [left] in Sedona, Arizona, hosted the Sedona Mago AA History Symposium, organized by A.A. historians Jay S. and Bill S.

 

February 22 in A.A. History

In 1842, on the 110th anniversary of George Washington’s birth, Abraham Lincoln addressed the Springfield, Illinois, Washingtonian Society. At 33 years old, he endorsed “kind, unassuming persuasion” over earlier, heavy-handed temperance efforts, saying,

    When [we] all… first opened our eyes upon the stage of existence, we found intoxicating liquor, recognized by every­body, used by every body, and repudiated by nobody.
    If we take habitual drunkards as a class, their heads and their hearts will bear an advantageous comparison with those of any other class. There seems ever to have been proneness in the brilliant and warm-blooded to fall into this vice. The demon of intemperance ever seems to have delighted in sucking the blood of genius and of generosity.… He ever seems to have gone forth, like the Egyptian angel of death, commissioned to slay if not the first, the fairest born of every fam­ily.…
    Happy day, when, all appetites controlled, all poisons subdued, all matter subjected, mind, all conquering mind, shall live and move the monarch of the world. Glorious consummation! Hail fall of Fury! Reign of Reason, all hail!

In 1884, William “Willie” Seabrook [near right, 1931] was born. His memoir, Asylum: An Alcoholic Takes the Cure [far right], would later be referenced by Marty M. in her story, “Women Suffer Too,” included in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th editions of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous.

In 1949, The Anniston (Alabama) Star covered the Anniston Group’s 3-year anniversary celebration, held that evening in its downtown clubhouse [no address given]. The event was open to all.

February 21 in A.A. History

In 1939, an unknown number of copies—roughly 400—of the Big Book multilith (or photolith) manuscript [left: pp. 24–43] were distributed to doctors, judges, psychiatrists, A.A. members, and others for feedback.
    At this stage, the pre-publication manuscript was 164 pages long, including “The Doctor’s Opinion” and 20 of 29 planned personal stories. Bill W. had titled the manuscript Alcoholic’s [sic] Anonymous, and some early printings had “Loan Copy” stamped on the cover in an attempt to secure copyright protection. Since not all copies were so marked, any copyright claim was effectively voided.
    Editor Tom Uzzell had significantly reduced the manuscript’s length, reportedly by trimming the personal stories. Estimates varied on how many pages were cut. According to Bill, Uzzell had

    … sharpened up the English but didn’t change much of anything excepting to take my story out of the story section where it had been the number one story and insisted on using it to open the book… What is now Chapter 2; I had intended to be Chapter 1.

    This is significant because it shows that in the original manuscript, “Bill’s Story” appeared in the “Personal Stories” section, and it was Uzzell who moved it to the front of the book, not Bill.
    Later that same day, Alcoholic Foundation Trustee Frank Amos wrote to fellow Trustee Willard Richardson, noting that

    ... the photolith copies of the book are now completed and I am sending one copy with this.… They are quite legible but of course but are put up in cheap form and cannot be compared in attractiveness and readability to the final printed volumes.… The main part of the book has been carefully edited, but the individual stories, occupying the last half of the book, still must undergo considerable editing. Also, there are a number of stories to be added, most of them, I believe from Akron.… [I]f you will let me or Bill know how many of these photolith copies you would like to have, he will see that you get them at once.

Also in 1939, Clarence S. [right] wrote a letter to the editor of the Cleveland Press describing Alcoholics Anonymous. In the letter, he provided the address of the Alcoholic Foundation in New York City as well as his own in Cleveland, Ohio, suggesting that no local central committee was yet in operation.
    Clarence further explained that members achieved sobriety by following a specific pattern, stating that a member must:

Have a sincere desire to quit drinking forever. Recognize the allergy and compulsion for lifetime. Recognize his ailment as a disease. Accept God and live by four simple principles: honesty, unselfishness, purity and love.

    He also encouraged readers to consult Alcoholics Anonymous, referring to it as “a book written by alcoholics, for alcoholics, at the Cleveland Public Library.”
    Clarence emphasized the impact of A.A. by noting that:

The several thousand people, (over 700 in Cleveland alone) who have thus far found life and hope through this means, is ample testimony that the day of miracles has not passed.

February 20 in A.A. History

In 1939, the pre-publication multilith (or photolith) copies of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, were most likely delivered to Bill Wilson and Hank Parkhurst, though it is possible they arrived the following day.

In 1941, the Toledo (Ohio) Blade published the final installment of a three-part series on A.A. by Seymour Rothman, which ran on three consecutive days [left: headlines].

In 1947, Charles B. Towns [right] passed away at home. His son, Edward, took over the operation of the Charles B. Towns Hospital and managed it until its closure in 1965. 

In 1960, Bill W. celebrated with Philadelphia A.A. members on the group's 20th anniversary. Bill signing a program [left: cover, inscription] with the message, “For Philadelphia’s 20th—Nothing but the very best! Ever Devotedly, Bill.”

In 2007, with what seemed to be a thinly veiled reference to A.A., Craig F., while hosting CBS’s The Late Late Show with Craig F—–, spoke candidly about his past struggles with alcoholism during his opening monologue.

February 19 in A.A. History

In 1917, Robert P. [right: with his wife, Betsy] was born in Kansas City, Missouri, the only child of his somewhat nomadic parents, Agnes Greenlees and Ridley Stillson P.
    He did not receive formal schooling until the third grade but quickly excelled academically, skipping grades and graduating with honors from Kansas University in 1938 with a Bachelor of Arts. While at KU, he served as editor of both the university’ s humor magazine and yearbook.
    A skilled writer, Bob became the center of a national scandal when a Scribner’s Magazine article, “Ghost Behind the Grade,” published in 1938, revealed that he had paid his way through college by ghostwriting hundreds of grade-specific papers for students across dozens of classes and seven universities. “Both the Associated Press and the United Press carried it,” Bob recalled in a 2004 interview. “It almost cost me my diploma.”
    His writing career took him to New York City, where he worked in public relations for Shell Oil Co. from 1938 to 1971. While there, he met and married Betsy Dodge.
    When World War II began, Bob enlisted as a U.S. Navy officer and served as a gunnery officer aboard a destroyer escort, participating in numerous Atlantic convoys. He also wrote speeches for a Navy admiral and two U.S. presidents—Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry Truman. His ship played a key role in the historic capture of a German U-boat north of the Azores—just days before D-Day. This marked the first time a submarine was boarded and seized intact, preserving its hardware and Enigma radio codes, later dramatized in the film U-571. Bob was honorably discharged in 1945 with the rank of lieutenant commander.
    After the war, Bob and Betsy settled in Riverside, Connecticut. His most notable achievements at Shell Oil involved the company’s sponsorship of major sports. Working with NBC, he played a crucial role in popularizing golf by bringing the sport to live television for the first time with Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf. He was also involved in Shell’s sponsorship of Craig Breedlove’s mid-1960s pursuit of the world land speed record in a jet-propelled car at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
    However, it was Bob’s personal struggles that ultimately defined his life. He developed an addiction to alcohol during his Navy service, and two decades later, nearly died from the disease. In 1961, doctors urged him to join a fledgling Alcoholics Anonymous group in Greenwich, Connecticut. He did, found sobriety and dedicated himself to nearly 50 years of service to the organization.
    In 1980, Bob and Betsy moved to Bellevue, Idaho, eventually making it their permanent home. There, Bob continued his work with A.A. as a speaker and contributor to its national archives.

 In 1940, Time magazine published a brief item titled “Medicine: Alcoholics Anonymous,” highlighting the 60-person Rockefeller dinner meeting held earlier in the month, where A.A. members and supporters gathered.

In 1940, Newsweek magazine featured an item titled “Alcoholics Anonymous” in its Science Column. The article began:

    Medicine usually claims to cure only about 2 per cent of the cases of acute alcoholism it treats. Last week a non-medi­cal group appeared which made the unusual claim that 25 per cent of its cases were cured. Called Alcoholics Anony­mous, the group was a club composed of ex-drunkards and men trying to overcome the liquor habit who, for obvious reasons, prefer their names to remain unknown. Not particularly anxious for publicity, it nevertheless came into the limelight last Thursday evening when John D. Rockefeller Jr. gave a dinner party for educators and others interested in the club’s work. 

In 1941, Bill W. wrote to the trustees of the Alcoholic Foundation Board regarding the budget for the upcoming year. Excerpts [edited]:

    Many new groups have been formed. Our membership has tripled, now totaling about 2,000... An article is to appear on March 1 in the Saturday Evening Post... The name Alcoholics Anonymous will appear on the outside cover. Our message will be brought to the whole nation—nearly a million alcoholics will hear of us… only a very small proportion of our book sales have come directly from the groups. The general public still buys most of the books... the Alcoholic Foundation should set up a special account called ‘AA operating expenses.’ All contributions from the groups should be segregated in this fund... each group is entitled to know exactly how such money is spent... an accounting ought to be made by the Trustees every six months showing [finances]…

In 1941, The Park City Daily News of Bowling Green, Kentucky, reported on the formation of a new A.A. group in Hopkinsville.

In 1953, After reading a quip that Father Ed Dowling had written on a Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions draft—“It has a little bit of the elder statesman smell of the lamp”—Bill W. responded with humor: “We have given the manuscript a heavy dose of chlorophyll to deaden that elder statesman smell.”

In 1967, Father “John Doe” (Ralph P.) [left], believed to be the first Catholic priest in A.A., passed away. Glenn C. later recounted:

    His niece told me that a physician gave Ralph a shot for airsickness and inadvertently used a contaminated needle. Father Ralph contracted hepatitis, and all the efforts made by the doctors at Our Lady of Mercy Hospital in Owensboro could not save him.

    Father Ralph had achieved permanent sobriety in Indianapolis on 10 November 1943. He was widely known for his Golden Books series and other recovery-related writings.

In 2017, Mel B. [right], 91, sober from 15 April 1950, died of heart and lung failure at Mercy Health St. Anne Hospital in Toledo, Ohio. A retired public relations manager for Libbey-Owens-Ford Co., he was a prolific writer, contributing to The Toledo Blade and authoring many books and articles, including Pass It On and many pieces for the A.A. Grapevine.

February 18 in A.A. History

In 1942, Father Ed Dowling [right] wrote to Bill W.:

In the confusion of World War II, the AA personality is keeping an easy pace, convinced that somehow, some time, the cockeyed world will land on its feet. I am grateful to God for the AA virus in my spiritual blood stream.

In 1943, the U.S. federal government granted A.A. members the right to use cars for emergency 12th-step work, despite the nationwide gasoline rationing that began on December 1, 1942. While ordinary citizens were limited to just three gallons per week—except for factory workers and traveling salesmen, who received eight—A.A. members were given an exemption for this vital service. Notably, gas was rationed not to conserve fuel, but to preserve rubber.

February 17 in A.A. History

In 1939, the final typed draft of the Big Book was sent to the multilith (or photolith) printer. While this may have occurred on Monday, February 20, the earlier Friday date seems more likely.
    Supporting this timeline, Alcoholic Foundation trustee Frank Amos wrote to Dorothy Critchfield on Thursday, February 16, stating that the book “is about ready for press.” Then, on Tuesday, February 21, he informed fellow trustee Willard Richardson that “the photolith copies of the book are now completed,” including a copy for him.

In 1940, Jimmy B. [left, c. 1918] reached out to Charlie B., whom he had met once at a New York City A.A. meeting about two years earlier. Having recently moved from New York to Philadelphia just four days prior for a “very good new position,” Jimmy had two years of sobriety and was eager to connect.
    Charlie had read the newly published book Alcoholics Anonymous, and together, they decided to start a Philadelphia A.A. group. At the time, only three other A.A. groups existed in the world: Akron, Ohio; New York City; and Cleveland, Ohio.

In 1943, Fitz M. married Mrs. Ruth Jelly in Harrison, Mississippi. Just months later, in October, he would die of cancer.

In 1953, Margaret “Bobbie” B. [right] died by her own hand. She had succeeded Ruth Hock as National Secretary for the Alcoholic Foundation, becoming only the second—and last—person to hold this position.
    From early 1942 until mid-1949, Bobbie was the primary contact for all A.A. groups worldwide and personally responded to most letters sent to the Alcoholic Foundation. Unbeknownst to Bill W., she had become addicted to her work. In letters, she admitted she couldn’t stop. Obsessed with her duties, she continued working into the evenings at home, leaving little time for her own recovery. Though she had come to this work as an A.A. member with a drinking problem, she gradually lost touch with her own program—neglecting meetings and forgoing a sponsor.
    In 1949, Bobbie resigned from her position at the A.A. national office. Almost immediately, she relapsed. For the next four years, she struggled against her addiction. Ultimately, the disease overcame her, and she took her own life in February 1953.
    Her passing was a tragic loss for Bill W. and for the many people she had introduced to A.A. Bobbie was deeply mourned and remembered around the world. 

February 16 in A.A. History

In 1941, The Baltimore Sunday Sun published Harrison Johnston’s article on Alcoholics Anonymous, titled “John Barleycorn’s Victims Seek Strength in Unity.” Accompanied by a rearview photo of an A.A. group [right], the article stated, in part:

    The story of “Alcoholics Anonymous,” which now includes a Baltimore group, is the story, in the words of one of its members, of a “bunch of drunks trying to help one another stop drinking.”…
    “Alcoholics Anonymous” meet regularly as a group twice a week—once in a semi-formal “business” meeting, once in a completely informal and spontaneous social gathering—without benefit of alcohol. They base their hopes of success on a mystical belief in aid from without themselves (all else having failed), from God, “as we understand Him,” and on constant association with other alcoholics who can understand and help them and whom they in turn can understand and try to help. They may thereby draw upon the companionship of other alcoholics, men and women like themselves with whom they alone are psychologically able to discuss their difficulties, and try to lose themselves in the rehabilitation of others even less controlled than they, a proven form of uplift characteristic of all group organizations, the church itself not least among them.
    From out this mixture, without any recourse whatsoever to medicine, “Alcoholics Anonymous” claims complete success—with no relapses—with about fifty per cent of its members (always supposing them to be sincere in their efforts to stop), and eventual success—after occasional relapses—with an additional twenty-five per cent.…
    The Baltimore group was founded only eight months ago, in June, 1940, and now numbers about forty members, of whom five are women.

In 1945, Charles Welch, a non-alcoholic, was named Honorary Lifetime Vice President of the first A.A. group in Vancouver, British Columbia. Following his wife’s death due to alcoholism, he opened his home to host the group’s meetings for the first six months.
    Welch also started the practice of advertising for A.A in Vancouver. The first ads [left] ran in The Vancouver Daily Province (November 16, 1944 – February 1, 1952), helping membership grow from just 4 to 41. Later, nearly identical ads appeared in The Vancouver Sun (January 2, 1945 – June 27, 1951) and The Vancouver News-Herald (September 20, 1949 – July 6, 1951), further expanding A.A.’s reach in Vancouver.

In 1978, the Computerized Bulletin Board System (CBBS), the first known public dial-up BBS, officially went online. Developed by Ward Christensen and Randy Suess—members of the Chicago Area Computer Hobbyists' Exchange (CACHE)—CBBS revolutionized early digital communication.
    The system kept a running count of callers and recorded a total of 253,301 connections before it was retired around 1990. While no documentation exists, it’s highly likely that some A.A. members who knew each other used CBBS to share strength and hope in the early days of online interaction.

February 15 in A.A. History

In 1918, Suzanne was born into a troubled family and spent two years in institutional care. At the age of five, she found a real home when Dr. Bob and Anne S. adopted her.

In 1940, The Evening Star in Washington, D.C., published a letter to the editor from Harold G. Waters, correcting their February 9 report on the Rockefeller dinner (“Rockefeller Is Backing Move to Cure Alcoholics”). The article had stated, “Rockefeller was host at dinner to a ‘secret organization’ known as ‘Alcoholics Anonymous’…” Waters clarified:

    “Alcoholics Anonymous” is neither secret nor an organization. There are no officers, no dues. It may more nearly be called a fellowship. It exists not only in New York, but also in other cities, and has already done great work here in Washington. A book, also entitled “Alcoholics Anonymous,” which gives a good idea of the work that is being done, may be either purchased or rented from the Y. W. C. A. library.

In 1946, The A.A. Tribune, a newsletter published by A.A. members in Des Moines, Iowa, since at least December 1943, reported 36 new members following a visit from Marty M. [date of visit unknown].

In 1947, Vital Speeches of the Day published Marty M.’s address to the Economic Club of Detroit—delivered to both a live audience and radio listeners—about the National Committee for Education on Alcoholism (NCEA) and Alcoholics Anonymous.

February 14 in A.A. History

In 1939, A.A.’s leadership—non-alcoholic trustees Willard Richardson, Frank Amos, and A. Leroy Chipman (all Rockefeller associates), as well as non-alcoholic trustee Dr. Leonard Strong, and alcoholic trustees Bill R. and Harry B.—gathered for an unofficial meeting. Bill W. was not present but was represented by a letter regarding “the progress of the book.”
    During the meeting, Bill R. resigned^* but was immediately appointed to the Advisory Committee. Harry B. was elected chairman pro tem. Frank Amos provided an informal report on funds received and distributed. The trustees agreed that at their next official meeting, they would present a formal report, a budget, and a plan for raising the necessary funds.

    Unfortunately, this delay led Bill W. and Hank P. to begin selling stock [right] in the newly formed Works Publishing Co., as they urgently needed money. The meeting minutes clearly state that the Alcoholic Foundation would remain completely independent of Works Publishing—having no responsibility for its actions and operating outside its supervision. In effect, the Rockefeller contingent had implicitly conceded to Bill and Hank, allowing A.A. to self-publish their book.

---

^* Contrary to widespread and persistent rumors, he was not removed for drinking, but rather due to the increased demands of work and family life.

In 1949, Dr. Gilbert “Gib” K., 52, died of cancer. He had started the first A.A. group in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Just three months earlier, in November 1948, Bill and Lois W. had visited him in the hospital as he lay dying; Gil had pressed Bill to accept his violin as a gift. Bill did, and would treasure it for the rest of his life [left: Bill playing Gib's violin at Stepping Stones].

In 1954, Bill’s father, Gilman Barrows W., 84, died penniless in Vancouver, British Columbia. His ashes would be returned to East Dorset, Vermont for burial in the family plot.

In 1971, Alcoholics Anonymous groups around the world held a memorial service in honor of Bill W., who had died on 29 January 1971, his and Lois' 53rd wedding anniversary.

In 1939, Nell Wing, 89, died at Sunrise Assisted Living in Wayne, New Jersey. She had been secretary and administrative assistant to Bill W. at the Alcoholic Foundation/General Service Office in New York City from 1947 to 1982 and A.A.’s first Archivist. She had also been the author of Grateful to Have Been There. 

February 13 in A.A. History

In 1937, the “Drunk Squad” of the New York City Oxford Group met in Teaneck, New Jersey at the home of Hank and Kathleen P. This “alcoholic style” meeting of the Oxford Group was the first time such a group—which would become part of Alcoholics Anonymous—had met in New Jersey. One reason for this meeting was to introduce William “Bill” R. [left] to the fledgling fellowship. He had become and remained sober. Bill and his wife, Kathleen, of Hackettstown, New Jersey, began attending Tuesday night meetings at the home of Bill and Lois W. at 182 Clinton St. in Brooklyn.

In 1940, about two years sober, James “Jim” or “Jimmy” B. [right] moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for a “very good new position.” Twenty-five days later, he started the city’s first A.A. group, the fourth (after Akron, New York City, and Cleveland), with six other alcoholics. Jim’s story, “The Vicious Cycle,” appeared in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th editions of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous.

February 12 in A.A. History

In 1945, the Alcoholic Foundation’s service office in New York City sent a letter to all known A.A. groups explaining that, due to paper rationing for the World War II effort, the War Production Board had ordered a reduction in the weight of paper used for the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous. To further conserve materials, the margins were trimmed to a minimum, which, along with the lighter paper, reduced the book’s overall size. During the war, two limited-quantity printings were produced—the 8th and 9th editions; both contained the notice shown to the right.

February 11 in A.A. History

In 1938, Clarence S. [left] had his last drink. 

    An unemployed banker from Lyndhurst, Ohio, his drinking had etranged him from his wife, Dorothy. Dorothy's sister Virginia lived in New York City, and her family doctor was Dr. Leonard Strong, Bill W.’s brother-in-law. When Virginia mentioned her brother-in-law’s problems to Dr. Strong, he told her about Dr. Bob S. and A.A. Virginia relayed this to her sister.
    When Clarence came to Dorothy begging to come home, she told him he had to take Dr. Bob’s “cure” first. She put him on a bus to Akron with a scrap of paper that had Dr. Bob’s name, office address, office hours, office phone number, and home phone number.
    Clarence’s story in the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, appears in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd editions as “Home Brewmeister.”

In 1938, Hank P. had asked Fitz M., who lived in Maryland near the Chesapeake Bay, to find out how many books in the Library of Congress were titled The Way Out or Alcoholics Anonymous. Fitz wired back to Hank at Bill W.’s home address:

1939 Feb 11 AM 12 19
WA 13 50 NL=CA WASHINGTON DC 10
HENRY G PARK HURST
182 CLINTON ST BROOKLYN NY=
NO TITLE CAN BE REGISTERED IN COPYRIGHT OFFICE TO SECURE MONOPOLY OF ITS USE STOP LIBRARY OF CONGRESS HAS 25 BOOKS THE WAY OUT 12 THE WAY NINE THIS WAY OUT NONE ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS NONE COMES DAWN MY PET STOP OUR TRIP TO BROOKLYN DEFINITELY OFF-BUSINESS BRISKER AM WRITING.=
FITZ

    Bill and Hank immediately declared the title to be Alcoholics Anonymous or, as Bill later admitted, “we left the title ‘Alcoholics Anonymous’ in the copy that went to the printer [less than a week later]” (i.e., they had already put their preferred title on the master copy). In later retellings, Bill would incorrectly state that the number of books already titled The Way Out was 12, not 25, which allowed him to argue that it would have been bad luck to produce the 13th book with that title.

In 1940, Margaret D. of Seattle, Washington wrote the Alcoholic Foundation about her husband. The Foundation would respond by mail on March 6. Margaret would eventually play a role in organizing Seattle’s first A.A. group on April 19, although it is uncertain exactly what that role was.

February 10 in A.A. History

In 1922, Harold E. Hughes [right] was born on a farm near Ida Grove, Iowa.

    After recovering from alcoholism, he would become governor of Iowa, a U.S. senator, and the leading dark horse candidate for the 1972 Democratic presidential nomination, at least until he dropped out of the race. He would author legislation that created the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and other federal legislation to help alcoholics and addicts. In public life, he was open about being an alcoholic.

 In 1958, Bill W. responded to a letter from Ollie and Ruth J. in an attempt to clarify and drive home an important distinction in the selfishness of an alcoholic:

    It seems to me that the primary object of any human being is to grow, that being the nature of all living things. There­fore he is bound to have a huge self-interest.

    Ollie and Ruth had written to Bill to object to members calling A.A. a “selfish” program.

February 9 in A.A. History

In 1939, after many months of debate over what the title of their new book should be in Akron, Ohio and New York City, considering “more than a hundred titles all told,” The Way Out—heavily favored in Akron—was adopted over Alcoholics Anonymous—heavily favored in New York City (especially by Bill W. and Hank P.). Hank

    … wire[d] Fitz M. in Maryland asking him to go to the Library of Congress in Washington and find out how many books were called The Way Out and how many were called Alcoholics Anonymous.

    This may have been some kind of end-run around the group conscience.

In 1940, the day after the Rockefeller Dinner, which introduced A.A. to men whom John D. Rockefeller, Jr. thought might help support this new organization with its impressive record, newspaper headlines abounded.
    The New York Daily News headlined its story, “ROCKEFELLER DINES EX-SOTS, NOW RUM FOES” [right] with the lede “Sixty members of Alcoholics Anonymous, an organization of ex-toss-pots.…”
    Meanwhile, Washington, DC’s The Evening Star headlined its article“Rockefeller Is Backing Move to Cure Alcoholics”[left], identifying A.A. as a “secret organization.”
    The New York Post headline was “60 ON WAGON—AND ROOM FOR MORE.”
    And White Plains, New York’s The Daily Argus, under the headline “Rockefeller Supports Regeneration Work” [below right] revealed that John D. Rockefeller, Jr. was

   … interested in a secret” organization aimed at rehabilitating alcoholics. The organization is “Alcoholics Anonymous” which started when three [sic] men who overcame their craving for whiskey and wanted to help others in the same plight began the movement that today numbers 120. Rockefeller was host at a dinner last night to hear a report on the work of the men who have been cured or are in the process of reestablishing themselves on a more normal plane.

In 1940, Suzanne (Sue) S—– W. [below left, 1975], 83, the adopted daughter of Dr. Bob and Anne S., died at home after a long illness, with her family by her side. She had been active in A.A. most of her life.