Big Book Dave - Archivist Interior Alaska
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November
Interior Alaska
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Highlight in our history this month. Robert Holbrook Smith (Dr. Bob) our co-founder moved out of sight and out of sound on November 16, 1950 at 11:30AM, at his home, 855 Ardmore Ave, Akron, Ohio. Dr. Bob began his medical practice in Akron March, 1912. He graduated from Dartmouth College; intern at City Hospital, Akron after his pre-med at University of Michigan and MD at Rush Medical College, Chicago. Dr. Bob married his life-long partner Anne Robinson Ripley, January 25, 1915. A.A's birthday considered to be the date of Dr. Bob's last drink June 10, 1935. Anne died the year before him. Dr. Bob was laid to rest next to her, Mount Peace Cemetery, Akron. Their home on Nov. 5, 1985 became a state historical site and a national historical landmark.
 

Interesting November Dates

  
 
1834 -November
Approved by congress a low was put into effect outlawing the importation of alcohol onto the Choctaw Indian Nation.
  1895 - November 26th
Our Co-Founder, Bill W., is born in East Dorset in Gilman to Gilman and Emily Griffith Wilson.(Vermont)
 
1903 - November
Marty Mann's parents are married in Chicago. Mother's maiden name: Lilian Christy. Fathers Name - William Henry Mann.
 
1917 - November
America has been drawn into World War I. All Doctors signed up for duty. Dr. Silkworth is assigned to the United States Army hospital at Plattsburg, New York. Ironically, Dr. Silkworth was stationed at the same military base with Bill Wilson, a man he didn't know and would not meet for another 16 yeas!
 
1934 - November
Bill and Lois start attending Oxford Group meetings at Calvary Mission, N.Y.C. under Rev. Sam Shoemaker.
 
1937 - November
A meeting was held in Akron to consider Bill's idea for the writing of a book. After Bill's presentation it was narrowly passed by a majority of two.
  1939 - November
Bill receives a letter from Hank P. advocating autonomy for all groups...This was 7 years before Bill would write the 12 Traditions and another 4 years before the membership accepted them at our First International Convention, July 1950.
 
1940 - November
Bill W. meets Father Dowling, a Jesuit Priest. Later, Bill would call him his spiritual advisor, friend and A.A. co-founder
 
1945 - November
Movie, "Lost Weekend" starring Ray Milland is released about an Alcoholic businessman reduced to a bowery bum. Has a wide impact on the public and created hundreds of letters coming into our New York headquarters.
  1946 - November 25th
Dublin, Ireland forms the first A. A. group in Europe.
  1951 November
Both Dr. Bob and Bill W. considered Intergroups essential to "The Panorama of A. A. in Action." In the Nov. 1951 issue of the "Grapevine," Bill said bluntly that "Intergroups do those chores that no single individual or group could. They unify regions; they make A.A. tick."
  1952 November 21 st Willard Richardson died. He was the connection between Bill and the Rockefeller Foundation. Later, he would become treasurer and chairman of the Alcoholic Foundation working with both Bill and Dr. Bob.
 
Big Book Dave
Elected Archivist - Interior Alaska
24-Hour Number
(907) 456-7501