The below letter was written by Bill Wilson to the eminent Swiss psychologist & psychiatrist Dr. Carl Gustav Jung which was dated 1/23/61.  Bill considered it a long overdue note of appreciation for Dr. Jung's contribution to A.A.'s solution for alcoholism.  The Big Book refers to part of the story on pages 26 & 27.  This letter is then followed by Dr. Jung’s reply.   My dear Dr. Jung: This letter of great appreciation has been very long overdue. May I first introduce … [Read more...]

(Facts and thoughts transcribed from a talk given by Wally P. on 11/23/96 in Mesa, Arizona.  Wally is the author of the book "Back To Basics: The Alcoholics Anonymous Beginners' Meetings, 'Here are the steps we took...' in Four One-Hour Sessions".) Initial growth in Alcoholics Anonymous took place in Cleveland, Ohio. Clarence S. and the guys went out actively pursuing drunks and brought them off bar stools and street corners. We don't do that today, but we were doing it back then [late 1930's … [Read more...]

The following, rather long, extract describes the Washingtonians and one of their star speakers as they were seen from the perspective of the latter part of the 19th century--years after their decline to little more than a fond memory in the minds of temperance advocates. The extract is from The Temperance Reform and its Great Reformers by Rev. W.H. Daniels, A.M., published 1878. Thanks to Rick K. who came across the book, converted this segment into digital format, and made it available for … [Read more...]

In 1947, because of the growing interest in AA, the Grapevine editors decided to write a brief definition of the Fellowship. Thus, the AA Preamble was first published in the June 1947 issue. They used portions of the Foreword to the first edition of the Big Book. The Grapevine had just begun to circulate among non-alcoholics, and the Preamble was intended primarily to describe for them what AA is and is not. It is still often used for public information purposes. As time passed, it began … [Read more...]

Charles Towns, owner of Towns' Hospital where Bill Wilson had sobered up, tried to get publicity for A.A. and finally succeeded. He had known Morris Markey, a well-known feature writer, for years. Markey was intrigued by what Towns told him of A.A., and approached Fulton Oursler, then editor of "Liberty," a popular magazine that had a religious orientation. Oursler saw the possibilities at once and said, "Morris, you've got an assignment. Bring that story in here, and we will print it in … [Read more...]

For those of you who don't know, Henrietta Seiberling is the lady who introduced Bill Wilson to Dr. Bob Smith... May, 1972 In the spring of 1971, the newspapers reported the passing of Bill Wilson of New York City, who as one of the two co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous. The other co-founder, Dr Robert Smith of Akron, Ohio, has passed on some years earlier. Shortly after Bill's death, the Akron Alcoholics groups asked my mother Henrietta Seiberling, to speak at the annual "Founders Day" … [Read more...]

by Clarence Snyder This is the first pamphlet ever written concerning sponsorship. It was written by Clarence H. Snyder in early 1944. Its original title was to be "A.A. Sponsorship...Its Obligations and Its Responsibilities." It was printed by the Cleveland Central Committee under the title: "A.A. Sponsorship... Its Opportunities and Its Responsibilities." PREFACE Each member of Alcoholics Anonymous is a potential sponsor of a new member and should clearly recognize the obligations and … [Read more...]

1877 (July) – William D. Silkworth M.D. is born in Brooklyn NY 1879 (August) – Dr. Bob, AA’s co-founder, was born in St. Johnsbury VT 1881 (March 21) – Anne R., Dr. Bob’s wife, is born 1890 (August) – E.M. Jellinek, Ph.D., author of “The Disease Concept of Alcoholism” & creator of the “Jellinek Curve”, was born 1891 (March 3) – Lois W. is born 1893 (December 27) – Rev. Sam Shoemaker was born. He was head of the U.S. Oxford Group movement & minister of Calvery Church in … [Read more...]