Mr. Julian Symons
Mr. Julian Symons is an article written by Christopher Roden published in the A.C.D. - The Journal of The Arthur Conan Doyle Society (Vol. 4, 1993).
This article announces Julian Symons's resignation as President of the Arthur Conan Doyle Society because of serious health problems, while warmly thanking him for his support since the Society's founding. It also recalls his honorary recognition by the Society and confirms that he will remain an Honorary Member, with no successor yet named.
Mr. Julian Symons
Julian Symons, who has been the Society's President since May 1989 has, regretfully, decided that the time has come to step down. Julian has undergone major surgery in the past year or so, and his doctors have now diagnosed a heart condition, which requires that he should reduce stress by taking on as few commitments as possible.
Julian has been a constant source of encouragement since the Society was founded. Always willing to offer advice or an opinion when one was sought, he has supported the Society in every way that has been asked of him and more. Members who attended the Tunbridge Wells weekend in May 1992 will recall that the Society conferred upon him the Honorary Degree of 'A.C.D.' as 'the person of our age who has most directly realised the legacy of Arthur Conan Doyle'. In 1991 Julian contributed an Introduction to the facsimile edition of 'The Dying Detective', published jointly by the Society and Westminster Libraries.
And so, with much sadness, we send our heartfelt thanks to Julian for the contribution he has made to the Society's development. From a personal point of view, I cannot adequately thank him for his support and encouragement. It has been a great pleasure and a wonderful experience to have him as a friend. If I lovingly refer to him as "The Grand Old Man of Detective Literature', I feel sure that he will not mind. It is a great pleasure to announce that Julian will continue as an Honorary Member of the Society.
For the time being, no decision is being taken on the question of Julian's successor.
C.R.
- Article courtesy Christopher Roden, founder of The Arthur Conan Doyle Society (1989-2003).
