Acknowledgments

Two publications provided a foundation for this biographical essay. First, a ninety-six page collection of reminiscences about Russ and Winnie was published by Mike Bates in January, 1981, entitled A Jack London Echo: A Tribute to Russ and Winnie Kingman (Chester, South Carolina: The Ponderosa Press). This collection of essays and testimonials helped me immensely in checking dates, confirming personal contacts, and providing illuminating anecdotes.

Second, Robert F. Hanson published a miniature book in 1982 entitled Russ Kingman: Jack London Collector (Venice, Florida: Opuscula Press). An advertising brochure describes the book as follows:

2 5/8 x 1 3/4, hardbound in imported German Ingres "Smoke" grey paper over boards, black end papers, 36 pages, three photographic illustrations, a magnificent original line drawing of a howling wolf on the front cover (by Susan Acker), and only 250 numbered and author-signed copies available to the collectors of miniature books and Jack Londoniana.

The book names Russ Kingman "the foremost collector of Jack London books and artifacts." This was the first biography in book format about Russ Kingman. The Hanson book provided two valuable ideas with respect to what motivated Russ to spend so much of his life in pursuit of Jack London studies. On the inscription page is this quotation by Russ: "I wonder what success is? Guess it is that which comes when a person is doing what he really wants to do and makes a reasonable living from it. If this is true, I am a success." Throughout his life, Russ was driven by the idea of success, but he never compromised truth, generosity, and a genuine caring for people to achieve it. The second idea that Hanson advocates as a motivation was Russ's sincere desire to help young people find their own paths to success. Russ felt that Jack London was an appropriate hero: "Kids need a hero--so do adults. Gives them something to do and an aim in life." This biography expands on this theme; for throughout their lives, both Russ and Winnie loved young people and often gave freely of their time and resources to help them in any way they could.

With deep gratitude I would like to thank the many people whose recent communications made this biography possible. I would like to extend my loving appreciation to Winifred E. Kingman--Winnie--who endured endless questions from me about her life with Russ. Many hours of conversations, which are tape recorded, provide the chronological basis of the biography. Also, for extensive taped interviews I would like to thank: Dan Austin, long-time friend of the Kingmans from their time on Guam; Dr. Vil Bykov, a noted Jack London scholar from Moscow, Russia; Herbert Greene, a Yankee friend from New Hampshire and Russ and Winnie's right-hand man around the bookstore; Robert Fritschi, a key player in the future of the Jack London Foundation and one of Russ and Winnie's many sons; Waring Jones, a Jack London collector and ever-present figure in the Jack London family; Dr. Earle Labor, Russ's "buddy" for many years and a co-person, along with Russ, responsible for the Renaissance in Jack London studies; Wayne and Peggy Martin, London collectors, and former members of the Board of the Jack London Foundation; and Dr. Tony Williams, whose eloquence in speaking of the Kingmans is surpassed by none.

In addition, the following individuals devoted much time and care in responding to my extensive interrogatory: Joanne Jefferys Amberson; Matt Atkinson, former Park Ranger, Jack London State Park; James Bankes; Robert Vanden Berghe; Frank Broz; Vil Bykov (Russia); Claude Chapuis (France); Rudy Ciuca, President, Jack London Foundation; Richard Dickson; Daniel Dyer; Loren Estleman; Andy Flink; Haruo Furakawa (Japan); Michael Gensirovsky (Ukraine); Ronald M. Hahn (Germany); Greg Hayes, Park Ranger, Jack London State Park; Connie Kale Johnson; Margaret Kardell; Bill Kelly; Darwin J. (Jon) Kingman, Russ's brother; Jacqueline Koenig; Richard Kuyasa; Sam Meyer; No�l Mauberret (France); Dr. Susan Nuernberg; Raleigh and Pam Patterson; Doug Perkins; Joyce Ritz; Victor Sabo; David H. Schlottmann; Fred Schmitz (Germany); JoAnne Sharpe; Milo Shepard; Victor R.S. Tambling (England); Mrs. Charlotte Tatro; Eiji Tsujii (Japan); Dale L. Walker; Warren and Toby Watson; Richard Weiderman; Edward A. Westphal, M.D.; Dr. Earl Wilcox; and Dr. Hensley Woodbridge.

During my visit to Ferrisburgh, Vergennes, and Middlebury, Vermont, to research Russ's early life, I met and communicated later with some gracious and helpful people: Mary Calahan Cheney and Lois Noonan, Librarians, Bixby Memorial Free Library, Vergennes, Vermont; and Hans Raum, Starr Library, Middlebury College, Vermont. The Vermont Division for Historic Preservation also furnished valuable information about life in Ferrisburgh when Russ was growing up.

During the course of many trips to Glen Ellen since 1990, I have spoken to hundreds of people whose comments indirectly contributed to the writing of this biography. Though their names are too numerous to mention here, their insights are much appreciated.

I would like to extend special thanks to three of my associates in the Baltimore County Public Schools who have shown interest in this project and contributed moral support: Ms. Paula Simon, Coordinator, Office of English; Mr. Hank McGraw, Supervisor, Office of English; and Mr. Robert J. Kemmery, Principal, Eastern Technical High School, Baltimore, Maryland, my boss and mentor.

Finally, I would like to express my deep appreciation to Ms. Maureen Dever, a colleague in the Social Studies Department, Eastern Technical High School, who suffered through the various additions and revisions in typing this manuscript, and who completed much of the work on the index.