Joe Gould (Bohemian)
Encyclopedia
Joseph Ferdinand Gould was an American eccentric, also known as Professor Seagull. Often homeless, he pretended to be the author of the longest book ever written, an Oral History of the Contemporary World (or Oral History of Our Time). He inspired the book Joe Gould's Secret
(1965) and its film adaptation
(2000).
. In 1911, he graduated from Harvard with a bachelor’s degree in Literature, even though his family wanted him to become a physician. He traveled to Canada
, exploring its landscape, and then came back to Boston. In 1915, he did field work for the Eugenics Record Office
in Spring Harbor
. He then went to North Dakota
to study the Chippewa and Mandan cultures. He gained respect for their cultures and he also learned how to ride horses, dance, and sing.
In 1917, Gould went to New York City
and worked as a reporter for the New York Evening Mail
. During his time at the newspaper, he had his epiphany for the longest book ever written. He would title this book An Oral History of Our Time. The book was supposedly based on a word for word account of people’s lives, which Gould had listened to. In reality, the book never existed.
Gould stood about five foot four inches and weighed no more than 100 pounds, but he said that he hoped his work would make a larger impression. Joseph Mitchell
wrote two profiles of Gould for The New Yorker
, later collected in the 1965 book Joe Gould's Secret
. Gould is also mentioned in several poems by e.e. cummings.
One of Gould's pastimes was going to beatnik poetry readings in New York, and reciting absurd poems he made up to mock the serious poetry being read. One of his poems was read in a 1958 episode of "Peter Gunn", and a distillation of the same poem was included in an episode of "Happy Days" featuring beatniks.
Ian Holm
portrayed Gould in the 2000 film Joe Gould's Secret
.
Joe Gould's Secret
__FORCETOC__Joe Gould's Secret is a 1965 book by Joseph Mitchell, based upon his two New Yorker profiles, "Professor Seagull", and "Joe Gould's Secret", . Mitchell's work details the true story of the eponymous Joe Gould, a writer who lived on the streets of Greenwich Village in the first half of...
(1965) and its film adaptation
Joe Gould's Secret (film)
Joe Gould's Secret is a 2000 American drama film directed by Stanley Tucci. The screenplay by Howard A. Rodman is based on the magazine article Professor Sea Gull and the book Joe Gould's Secret by Joseph Mitchell.-Plot:...
(2000).
Biography
Gould was born in a small suburb outside BostonBoston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. In 1911, he graduated from Harvard with a bachelor’s degree in Literature, even though his family wanted him to become a physician. He traveled to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, exploring its landscape, and then came back to Boston. In 1915, he did field work for the Eugenics Record Office
Eugenics Record Office
The Eugenics Record Office at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in Cold Spring Harbor, New York, United States was a center for eugenics and human heredity research in the first half of the twentieth century. Both its founder, Charles Benedict Davenport, and its director, Harry H...
in Spring Harbor
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
The Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory is a private, non-profit institution with research programs focusing on cancer, neurobiology, plant genetics, genomics and bioinformatics. The Laboratory has a broad educational mission, including the recently established Watson School of Biological Sciences. It...
. He then went to North Dakota
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
to study the Chippewa and Mandan cultures. He gained respect for their cultures and he also learned how to ride horses, dance, and sing.
In 1917, Gould went to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and worked as a reporter for the New York Evening Mail
New York Evening Mail
The New York Evening Mail was an American daily newspaper published in New York City.The paper was made up of the New York Evening Express, which dated from 1836, and the Daily Advertiser. It was eventually merged with the Evening Telegram, which became the New York World-Telegram in 1927.From New...
. During his time at the newspaper, he had his epiphany for the longest book ever written. He would title this book An Oral History of Our Time. The book was supposedly based on a word for word account of people’s lives, which Gould had listened to. In reality, the book never existed.
Gould stood about five foot four inches and weighed no more than 100 pounds, but he said that he hoped his work would make a larger impression. Joseph Mitchell
Joseph Mitchell
Joseph Mitchell was an American writer best known for the work he published in The New Yorker. He is known for his carefully written portraits of eccentrics and people on the fringes of society, especially in and around New York City.Mitchell was born on his maternal grandparents' farm near...
wrote two profiles of Gould for The New Yorker
The New Yorker
The New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast...
, later collected in the 1965 book Joe Gould's Secret
Joe Gould's Secret
__FORCETOC__Joe Gould's Secret is a 1965 book by Joseph Mitchell, based upon his two New Yorker profiles, "Professor Seagull", and "Joe Gould's Secret", . Mitchell's work details the true story of the eponymous Joe Gould, a writer who lived on the streets of Greenwich Village in the first half of...
. Gould is also mentioned in several poems by e.e. cummings.
One of Gould's pastimes was going to beatnik poetry readings in New York, and reciting absurd poems he made up to mock the serious poetry being read. One of his poems was read in a 1958 episode of "Peter Gunn", and a distillation of the same poem was included in an episode of "Happy Days" featuring beatniks.
Ian Holm
Ian Holm
Sir Ian Holm, CBE is an English actor known for his stage work and for many film roles. He received the 1967 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor for his performance as Lenny in The Homecoming and the 1998 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor for his performance in the title role of King Lear...
portrayed Gould in the 2000 film Joe Gould's Secret
Joe Gould's Secret (film)
Joe Gould's Secret is a 2000 American drama film directed by Stanley Tucci. The screenplay by Howard A. Rodman is based on the magazine article Professor Sea Gull and the book Joe Gould's Secret by Joseph Mitchell.-Plot:...
.