Dr Alvin E. Rodin (obituary)
Dr Alvin E. Rodin is an article written by Christopher Roden published in the A.C.D. - The Journal of The Arthur Conan Doyle Society (Vol. 9, june 1999).
This article is an obituary of Alvin E. Rodin, highlighting his major contributions to the study of Arthur Conan Doyle, particularly through medical and scholarly research. It reviews his publications, collaborations, and his role in revitalizing interest in Conan Doyle studies during the late twentieth century.
Obituary
It was with much regret that we learnt of the death of Al Rodin on 18 March 1999. Al's contribution to Doylean studies was enormous, and to his industry and enthusiasm can be attributed some of the revivial of interest in Arthur Conan Doyle during the 1980s. Before his retirement, Al had been Professor Emeritus in the Department of Pathology and of postgraduate Medicine and Continuing Education at Wright State University School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio. He was a prolific writer, publishing articles and books on medical history, including subjects such as teaching methods, William Osler, Matthew Baillie, eighteenth century London, Medical museums, puerperal fever, autopsies, disease concepts, medical education, and pathology. It was this background and capability that he brought to his quest for knowledge in his favourite subject — Arthur Conan Doyle.
In 1982, Al and his wife Jean toured the length and breadth of England and Scotland, a trip which resulted in Al's Journal of A Quest for the elusive Doctor Arthur Conan Doyle (Rochester, MN: Davies Printing, 1982); this was followed four years later by Adventuring in England with Doctor Arthur Conan Doyle (Beavercreek, OH: KeyRod Literary Enterprises, 1986). Further work, usually produced in collaboration with Jack D. Key, followed, Al's lasting contribution being his Medical Casebook of Doctor Arthur Conan Doyle (Malabar, Fl: Robert E. Krieger, 1984). Continuing the medical theme, and always with Conan Doyle in mind, 1992 saw Rodin and Key produce Conan Doyle's Tales of Medical Humanism and Values: Round the Red Lamp, an annotated edition of ACD's medical stories.
Al was interested in all aspects of ACD's life and work, none less so than the science fiction. An early production which dealt with The Lost World, Lost Worlds in Time, Space and Medicine: The Science Fiction of Arthur Conan Doyle, appeared in 1988 (Beavercreek, OH: KeyRod Literary Enterprises), but this was to be surpassed in 1996 when a long-time collaboration with Roy Pilot eventually saw print as The Annotated Lost World (Indianapolis: Wessex Press, 1996). Nothing could have been more sad than to speak with Al in later times, and to realise that he barely recalled any of these books which bore his name.
Al was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and was one of Canada's finest Doylean scholars. He lived in the United States for many years, most recently in San Diego, California. The last time I saw him was in Toronto in 1997, when he was obviously ill, though retaining his very personal sense of humour and inquisitive spirit. We shall all miss him. The Society's sympathies are with Jean and her family.
C.R.
- Article courtesy Christopher Roden, founder of The Arthur Conan Doyle Society (1989-2003).
