This has been one of those red-letter days at the mailbox. As many of you know I have had the great pleasure of meeting and getting to know Lawrence Beesley's step-daughter, Dinah Quilter. At present, Dinah and her husband are in the throes of moving to another city. In the mail today, I received a note from her (she usually emails), saying she had run across some 'bits and pieces' which she thought I would like to have. In the envelope were two letters - one to her, thanking her for writing and another, a copy of a letter sent to Lawrence...both by Walter Lord.
I thought you all might enjoy this letter, dated June 21st, 1957
"Dear Mr. Beesley,
Not long ago your daughter, Dinah Quilter, dropped me a line, mentioning that your were alive and well. I answered her, begging for your address and she has now sent it on to me.
The result of this brief exchange is that I can at last write you and tell you what a supremely inspiring book you wrote about the TITANIC. As a small boy I remember vividly finding a copy in my aunt's bookcase in 1928. I recall being completely enthralled, and although I was already interested in the TITANIC, your account really welded me to the subject for life.
Years have passed and I too have now tried my hand at telling the story of the great liner. Writing my book has given me a great deal of personal satisfaction -- but nothing that will ever equal the first thrill I felt from discovering your own story.
With very best wishes to you for a long, rich, full life, I remain,
Sincerely
Walter Lord
WL/f
Dear Mrs. Quilter,
Just thought you might like to have a copy of the note I just wrote your father the other day.
Thanks again for putting me in touch with him,
Best
Walter Lord (hand signed)"
My personal note here: for years now, every so often, someone has asked me if Beesley's work had influenced Walter Lord. I always answered a flat "I don't think so, since Mr. Lord only mentions Beesley's book with a line or two in his ANTR acknowledgment page.
I hereby stand corrected!
Best regards, all around
Cook
I thought you all might enjoy this letter, dated June 21st, 1957
"Dear Mr. Beesley,
Not long ago your daughter, Dinah Quilter, dropped me a line, mentioning that your were alive and well. I answered her, begging for your address and she has now sent it on to me.
The result of this brief exchange is that I can at last write you and tell you what a supremely inspiring book you wrote about the TITANIC. As a small boy I remember vividly finding a copy in my aunt's bookcase in 1928. I recall being completely enthralled, and although I was already interested in the TITANIC, your account really welded me to the subject for life.
Years have passed and I too have now tried my hand at telling the story of the great liner. Writing my book has given me a great deal of personal satisfaction -- but nothing that will ever equal the first thrill I felt from discovering your own story.
With very best wishes to you for a long, rich, full life, I remain,
Sincerely
Walter Lord
WL/f
Dear Mrs. Quilter,
Just thought you might like to have a copy of the note I just wrote your father the other day.
Thanks again for putting me in touch with him,
Best
Walter Lord (hand signed)"
My personal note here: for years now, every so often, someone has asked me if Beesley's work had influenced Walter Lord. I always answered a flat "I don't think so, since Mr. Lord only mentions Beesley's book with a line or two in his ANTR acknowledgment page.
I hereby stand corrected!
Best regards, all around
Cook