This one is kind of a guess—but a good guess.
And, it turns out: a correct one. I recently received a cache of letters from a family member of this MFS that confirms my (earlier) speculation about his identity, and gives some insight into how he read and thought about Fort, Forteanism, and the Fortean Society.
“Douglas” gets a few mentions in Doubt. The first was in June 1943’s story on ‘Scientifiction,’ in which he is listed as associated with science fiction. That same issue notes he had sent in material, although Thayer did not have the space to consider it. Douglas—or someone with the last name Douglas—received credit five more times. The last also gave a better clue to the identity of the Fortean, as the surname was spelled with two esses, Douglass. (Thayer mis-spelled names a lot.)
But the biggest clues come from the last mention, in April 1955 (issue #48). Thayer notes that the cover of the winter issue—featuring a grimacing face captioned “Joy to the World”—received much praise, so much that some suggested it be made into a Christmas card.Thayer noted that it was a Christmas card, from Jesse Douglas—one S, again—who had joined the Fortean Society as a undergraduate at the University of Minnesota and sent in the card—drawn by a fellow Fortean and Gopher, last name Swisher—from Panama.
And, it turns out: a correct one. I recently received a cache of letters from a family member of this MFS that confirms my (earlier) speculation about his identity, and gives some insight into how he read and thought about Fort, Forteanism, and the Fortean Society.
“Douglas” gets a few mentions in Doubt. The first was in June 1943’s story on ‘Scientifiction,’ in which he is listed as associated with science fiction. That same issue notes he had sent in material, although Thayer did not have the space to consider it. Douglas—or someone with the last name Douglas—received credit five more times. The last also gave a better clue to the identity of the Fortean, as the surname was spelled with two esses, Douglass. (Thayer mis-spelled names a lot.)
But the biggest clues come from the last mention, in April 1955 (issue #48). Thayer notes that the cover of the winter issue—featuring a grimacing face captioned “Joy to the World”—received much praise, so much that some suggested it be made into a Christmas card.Thayer noted that it was a Christmas card, from Jesse Douglas—one S, again—who had joined the Fortean Society as a undergraduate at the University of Minnesota and sent in the card—drawn by a fellow Fortean and Gopher, last name Swisher—from Panama.