The Watsonian Weekend

A Stellar Sherlockian Event

June 26 - 27, 1998

The material for this new page in our "Persons, Places & Things," section of our web site re: The Watsonian Weekend, was provided through the courtesy of Susan Diamond, Allan Devitt, and all the Chicago Watsonians. We offer our sincere thanks both for the information presented here and for including us in The Weekend festivities. We hope that those of you who are joining us via cyberspace will share in our mutual enjoyment of this great annual Sherlockian event.

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The Watsonians, a scion society of the Baker Street Irregulars, is dedicated to honoring the memory of Dr. John H. Watson and promoting the study of his life and writings. The Society was founded, in the autumn of 1991, by the distinguished Sherlockian, Robert W. Hahn, BSI. The members of The Watsonians meet annually in the Chicago area for the "Watsonian Weekend" (WW). The meeting's primary purpose is to commemorate the Battle of Maiwand, July 27, 1880; hence, the meeting date is scheduled as close to the anniversary of "The Battle" as is convenient and practical. As Sherlockians will recall, Dr. Watson was wounded at the Battle of Maiwand, saved by his orderly Murray, and subsequently released from his regiment with a medical discharge.

The founder, Bob Hahn, served as President of the Watsonians from its inception in 1991 through 1994. At that time, Susan Diamond, ASH, BSI, assumed the Presidency. Fred Levin, BSI, is the organization's Secretary-Treasurer. Other current board members are: Elliott Black, Bob Brooks, Allan Devitt, and Dennis France.

The three primary events of each Watsonian Weekend are: 1) the Royal Berkshires/Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers Regimental Dinner, 2) the running of the Silver Blaze, and 3) the Fortescue Scholarship Honours Brunch. The Regimental Dinner honors the two regiments to which Watson was attached. His military career began with the Fusiliers. He was subsequently transferred to the Royal Berkshires, with which he served at the Battle of Maiwand.

The 1998 Regimental Dinner was held at the Plentywood Farm Restaurant in the Chicago suburb of Bensenville, IL.

The 1998 Regimental Dinner menu consisted of prime rib with Yorkshire pudding (grilled chicken breast Diablo, if one preferred), sherried consumme, tossed green salad with walnut vinaigrette dressing, vegetable medley followed by English trifle.

On the day following the banquet, the Watsonians sponsor the running of The Silver Blaze at an area racetrack. While many Silver Blazes (or Wessex Cup/Plate) races are held worldwide, the Chicago event is one of the most historic and venerable with 1999 marking the 40th consecutive annual running of the race!

The Fortescue Scholarship Honours Brunch, held at the Destiny Restaurant in Des Plaines, includes recognition of those Sherlockians who have successfully completed one of the Fortescue examinations of Canonical knowledge. Those individuals who complete the initial examination earn the B.S.S. degree-Baccaulaureatus Scientia in Sherlockiana and then may, in turn, go to the next more advanced examination. Successful completion at this next level earns the applicant the A.M.S. degree-Artrium Magister in Sherlockiana. A.M.S. holders may either prepare a paper on any aspect of the Sacred Writings or complete a third examination to earn their Doctorate in Sherlockiana, the Sh.D. degree.

Any reader who would like to receive the first Fortescue examination, or to be placed on the Watsonian Weekend mailing list, is invited to contact Susan Z. Diamond, ASH, BSI, 16W603 3rd Ave., Bensenville, IL 60106-2327, or e-mail Ms. Diamond at szd@ix.netcom.com

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