Bernard B. Smith Class A (non-alcoholic) Trustee

The lost book of Bern Smith, a key player in the history of Alcoholics Anonymous.

This book was made especially for, and then presented to, Bernard Babington Smith, a.k.a. Bern Smith, at an Alcoholics Anonymous Board meeting on October 22, 1956 after he had stepped down as Chairman of the General Service Board and General Service Conference. This book was limited to ONE bound copy, as is stated on the verso of the title page. This book was not officially published and there is no copyright information. It is the only known item of its kind, being made ONLY as a gift. It was then signed by all those in attendance at that Board meeting, making it uniquely significant.

If you read the 'Personal Tribute', you will see how much Bern meant to AA and to Bill Wilson personally. The book is signed by Bill W. twice, one of which includes a personalized inscription. It is also signed by other Trustees and General Service Office Staff, most of who’s names are listed in the book. All but one signature has been identified. Besides the wonderful Personal Tribute, and a very nice Foreword, the book contains the transcripts of the talks Bern gave at the closing sessions of the first six General Service Conferences. The exception being 1951, where no transcript was available, they substituted an essay by Bern that was included in the AA history book "Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age".

The first recorded meeting between Bill W and Bernard Smith took place on September 25th, 1942, when they were introduced by an old friend of Bern’s who was now an AA member. Unfortunately, we do not know at this time who this other person was, nor do we know who else was at that meeting, but Bern does mention this meeting in his talk at the 1970 International Convention in Miami.

In 1942 and 1943, the Alcoholic Foundation changed its legal structure from a Trust Agreement into a Membership Corporation. Additionally, the Works Publishing Company, Inc., was dissolved as a separate organization and absorbed by the Alcoholic Foundation. As an attorney, Bernard Smith corresponded and met with both the Trustees and Bill W. throughout 1942 and 1943 to discuss these changes, and he composed the legal documents necessary to make them happen. Note: The Alcoholic Foundation was the predecessor to today’s General Service Board, and Works Publishing Company, Inc. was the predecessor to today’s Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Bernard B. Smith served as a Class A (non-alcoholic) Trustee and member of the General Service Board from 1944 until his death in 1970. He served as the Chairman of the Board and of the General Service Conference from 1951 to 1956 and then served as First Vice Chairman for his remaining years. 1951 was the first experimental General Service Conference, which didn't become a permanent part of the structure of AA until 1955. At one time Bern was the only Board member in support of the Conference. On October 30, 1951, Bernard Smith accepted the Lasker Award on behalf of Alcoholics Anonymous. He also wrote the Bylaws of the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous, Inc. which were adopted on April 22, 1957. This "has been hailed as the only spiritually conceived corporate document, that though spiritually based, nevertheless complies with the laws of the country." And in 1963, Bernard drafted Bill Wilson’s new royalty agreement, which dictated the percentage of certain book sales that would go to Bill.

By May of 1963, this book was no longer in Bern's possession. In a letter dated May 14, 1963 from Bern to Herb M., General Service Office Manager and AA World Service Director and Chairman, Bern writes:

“Incidentally, you will recall back in 1956 when I resigned as Chairman I was presented with a small book entitled “Collective Writings of Bernard B. Smith” to which all of the then Trustees signed their names, and which contains the addresses I had made during the years I was Chairman. Hank G. provided me with an original and one copy. One I loaned and cannot seem to get back, and the other has somehow been misplaced. I assume it is impossible to obtain another copy, but I hope you won’t mind my asking as the book means a great deal to me, not for its contents but for what Bill and the others had to say about my contribution to AA.”

It is assumed that the lost 'copy' was not bound and not signed. Its whereabouts are unknown.

Bernard Smith passed away in July of 1970, which was only a month after giving what would have been his final AA talk at the 1970 International Convention in Miami. Bill W was supposed to introduce him but wasn't well at the time. At the time of Bern’s death, he was AA’s oldest living Trustee. Outside of AA, Bernard Smith was an internationally recognized attorney and an author. He had many articles published in Harper's Magazine. In 1957, he was made an Honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth.

Bernard Smith “loved the spiritual oneness upon which this fellowship is based so much that he gave over 25 years of service to help create the structural oneness that will keep us strong.” When it comes to the structure, and therefore the continued unity and continuity of Alcoholics Anonymous, it’s hard to say if anyone contributed more to the Fellowship. Bill Wilson referred to Bernard Smith as "the architect of the structure of our Fellowship."

Here is a direct quote from Bill in a tribute to Bern in the October 1970 issue of the AA Grapevine:

“I deeply regret that my health will not permit me to attend the services for my old friend Bern Smith. His death is a great personal loss to me, for I have leaned heavily upon him for many years. His wise counsel was always mine for the asking; the warmth of his friendship, mine from the beginning. From the very beginning, Bern Smith understood the spiritual basis upon which the Society of Alcoholics Anonymous rests. Such an understanding is rare among "outsiders." But Bern never was an outsider--not really. He not only understood our Fellowship, he believed in it as well. Just one month ago today, Bern made a remarkable and inspiring talk to some 11,000 of our members gathered in Miami Beach to celebrate our Fellowship's thirty-fifth anniversary. The subject of his talk was Unity--truly an apt subject, for no man did more than he to assure Unity within our Fellowship. For that matter, he did much to assure our very survival, for he was one of the principal architects of our General Service Conference. Bern Smith would not want, nor does he need, encomiums from me. What he has done for Alcoholics Anonymous speaks far louder than any words of mine could ever do. His wisdom and vision will be sorely missed by us all. I can only add that I have lost an old and valued friend; AA, a great and devoted servant."

The way Bernard B. Smith was introduced when he spoke, everything that has been said about him in all the tributes to him and his legacy, the personal sentiment from Bill Wilson and the Board of Trustees contained in this book, and knowing how much the book itself meant to him, make this one very unique and historically significant item. It is truly one of a kind.

Signatures included in the book:

Bill Wilson – Co-Founder of Alcoholics Anonymous (signed twice, along with a personal inscription)

Frank Gulden – Non-Alcoholic Trustee

Leonard V. Harrison – Non-Alcoholic Trustee

Dr. John L. “Jack” Norris – Non-Alcoholic Trustee

Archibald B. Roosevelt – Non-Alcoholic Trustee

Cal McC. – Alcoholic Trustee

Herbert M. – Alcoholic Trustee and later General Service Office Manager

Sigurd S. – Alcoholic Trustee

E.D. “Icky” S. – Alcoholic Trustee

Henry "Hank" G. – General Service Headquarters Staff

Lib (Lyb) S. – General Service Headquarters Staff

Delores D. – Office Staff

Ralph W. Bugli – Editorial Consultant

Wilbur A. Smith – Ind. CPA (Accountant)

One unidentified signature