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    Which famous author won an 1868 Civil Service race and why was he then disqualified?

    Question #59442. Asked by gmackematix. (Sep 18 05 8:59 AM)


    robboy

    		This sounded like one of the trials and tribulations of one of my favorite poets, Walt Whitman, and I believe it fits the bill just dandy, gmack. Walt was fired from the Bureau of Indian Affairs because the powers that be (were) felt his 'Leaves of Grass' collection to be indecent reading. I'll bet the descendents of those that did the firing wish they had a couple first editions or some signed poetry.
    http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/whitman-goodgraypoet.html

    Sep 18 05, 10:38 AM
    gmackematix

    		Good try, Rob, but no.

    This author could barely walk at all as a child so competing was impressive.
    He is famous almost completely thanks to one book.

    Sep 18 05, 4:51 PM
    s2boy

    		Bram Stoker certainly fits the bill regarding being bedridden as a child, and joining the Civil Service at around the right time, and also being best known for one book. But what race he won and was then disqualified from, I haven't yet found.

    Sep 19 05, 5:08 AM
    s2boy

    		Bram Stoker was disqualified from the 1868 Civil Service 5 Mile Walk. But alas, no sign on www of just why he was disqualified. Maybe for not having one foot on the ground at all times, but maybe not.



    Sep 19 05, 5:15 AM
    gmackematix

    		Yay, S2! The Irish author of "Dracula", possibly the most famous epistolary novel, written after 8 years of researching vampires.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bram_Stoker

    I didn't manage to find why he was disqualified in that race either.

    Sep 19 05, 10:37 AM
    lanfranco

    		How, exactly, DOES one go about "researching vampires"?

    And don't anyone tell me to ask Anne Rice.

    Sep 19 05, 3:34 PM

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