Sources for Origins and Early History of Alcoholics Anonymous

“Dick B.” (Richard G. Burns) authorized my placing his earlier ADHS electronic list posting on this website. His original post is slightly paraphased here.

The Shoemaker collection is now located in the Shoemaker Room at Calvary Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh, of which Rev. Sam Shoemaker, Jr., was rector after he left Calvary parish in New York.

The entire AA “Founders Collection” has now been donated by various benefactors to Griffith Library at The Wilson House in East Dorset, Vermont. This consists of the entire collection of books known to have been in Dr. Bob’s Library (http://www.dickb.com/drbob.shtml), which means the less than half owned by Sue Smith Windows and sold to Brown University, the less than half owned by Robert R. Smith and donated to Dr. Bob’s Home, plus a large number of books which were specifically mentioned by Anne Smith, or Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers, or by other sources, or comprising those Oxford Group and Shoemaker books known to have been read and circulated. The collection includes a complete copy of Anne Smith’s Journal (http://www.dickb.com/annesm.shtml). In addition, all the papers and manuscripts of Bill Wilson that I located and was allowed to copy at Stepping Stones. In addition, a large number of copies of Clarence Snyder papers, and some other early A.A. materials. Previously, most of my 23,900 historical items had already been donated to Griffith Library that had its Grand Opening before Ozzie died. The collection in toto is being catalogued and placed on computer so that each item can be easily found and viewed. A small collection of Dr. Bob and Akron-related materials including Oxford Group and other items has been donated to and is located at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church where they are located in the Library and accessible. There remain in my personal collection on Maui perhaps 200 books related to A.A. history and healing, as well as contemporary writings about each. Since I am still actively writing and doing audio talks, these will be retained for a while longer and eventually placed provided funding for the donation is received.