Q.
Is it true that The Times once sent out an inquiry to famous
authors, asking the question, "What’s wrong with the world today?"
and Chesterton responded simply,
"Dear Sir,
I am.
Yours, G.K. Chesterton."
-Jerry
A.
This story has been repeated so often about Chesterton that we suspect
it is true. Also, it seems it is never told about any one other than
Chesterton. What we have not found, however, is any documentary evidence
for it. It may indeed be from The Times, as the story is usually
told, but no one has taken the trouble to go through the back issues
and find a copy of the actual letter. It has also been attributed
to other papers, but again, no proof.
It is also entirely possible that it actually happened with another
author, but has been attributed to Chesterton because it is typical
of both is humility and his wit and because it is associated with
the title of a book he wrote in 1910, What’s Wrong with the World.
If anyone out there can provide further information on this one,
please let us know.
- The "Quotemeister"
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