It was an author, Roger, but not Benjamin Thomas.

Best
Rob

Next clue

Of Sandburg, he said that anything written by him was "hogwash" even though the "eastern iota-subscripts" might like it.

Best
Rob

Edgar Lee Masters.

I second Roger's answer!

You got it Roger. Good job! (And I'll give Bill partial credit for agreeing).

Masters was always jealous of Sandburg and felt that when Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years came out, Sandburg had "stolen his thunder" even though Masters' book wouldn't come out for another five years.

In 1943, Randall visited Sandburg's home in Harbert. The two walked along the beach in front of Sandburg's home. Randall recorded their conversation in his diary.

S. Talked [to] me [of] E. Lee Masters and his hates. S. does not keep his hates. To hell with them. Said he gave M. a severe … denunciation to his face re: “Lincoln the Man”.. Called it hitting below the belt. I said I liked the Sangamon and S. agreed.

Masters's best biographer, Herbert K. Russell, told me he didn't think it likely Sandburg gave Masters "a severe...denunciation" to his face, but agreed that it wouldn't have been out of character given the relationship between the two men.

You and Bill win the right to have yourselves memorialized when Masters updates his Spoon River Anthology.

Best
Rob

Nice information Rob. Your posts are always rich with good stuff. Oh, and thanks for the prize.

You're welcome Bill. I've got another one.

What did Sandburg say he couldn't do on a Tuesday, but could only do on a Friday?

The only place I've ever seen this is in Randall's diary, so you all will have to do some serious thinking.

Best
Rob

What a puzzle! Off the top of my head I don't know. Oh, you said "serious thinking." Let me think about it!

First clue:

If this was true, Friday must have been busy.

Best
Rob

Write? Type?

You're on the right track Roger with the first word, but it was a specific type of writing that only he could do.

Best
Rob

(11-04-2013 09:51 AM)Rob Wick Wrote:  You're on the right track Roger with the first word, but it was a specific type of writing that only he could do.

Best
Rob

Write more Rootabaga stories?

Sorry Joe, but that's not it.

The best clue is staring everyone right in the face.

Best
Rob

Autograph books.

Close enough, Anita. According to Randall's diary entry for September 22, 1942:

"A student at the Union asked for an autograph. Couldn’t do it he said. Friday was autograph day, not Tuesday."

Since I don't own an original Sandburg autograph, and it isn't Tuesday or Friday, you win the thanks of a grateful nation.

Best
Rob