Bob Smith (doctor)
Bob Smith (Robert Holbrook Smith, b. 8 August 1879 d. 16 November 1950) was a medical doctor and surgeon from Akron, Ohio, also known as Dr Bob. He co-founded the self-help movement Alcoholics Anonymous with Bill Wilson, in 1935. Smith was called the "Prince of Twelfth Steppers" by Bill Wilson because he personally helped more than 5000 drunks without charge. Also, it was in his home that the basic ideas of A.A. were developed. Many A.A. ideas developed initially in an offshoot of the then-popular Oxford Group, which was then a Christian movement. Dr. Bob said that A.A.'s basic ideas came from their study of the Bible, that he personally didn't write or have anything to do with the later writing of the 12 Steps, but that the Steps, simmered down to their essence, simply meant "love and service."
See also
Literature
- Alcoholics Anonymous, Fourth Edition, 2001. Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. New York, NY, 2001. ISBN 1-893007-16-2, Dewey 362.29 A347 2001
- Alcoholics Anonymous Comes Of Age. Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. (AAWS), New York, 1957, 1986. Harper, New York, 1957. ISBN 0-91-685602-X, LC HV5278.A78A4, Dewey: 178.1 A1c
- Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers. Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., New York, 1980. ISBN 0-916856-07-0, LCCN 80-65962, LC HV5278.D62 1980
- Pass It On; The story of Bill Wilson and how the A.A. message reached the world. Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. (AAWS), New York, 1984. ISBN 0-916856-12-7, LC HV5032 .W19P37x 1984, LCCN 84-072766, Dewey 362.29/286/O92
- Not-God: A History of Alcoholics Anonymous, by Ernest Kurtz. Hazelden Educational Foundation, Center City, MN, 1979. ISBN 0-899-486065-8 or ISBN 0-89486-065-8 (pbk.), LC HV5278, LCCN 79-88264, Dewey 362.2/9286 or 362.29286 K87 1979
- "Turning Point: A History of the Spiritual Roots and Successes of Early A.A.," by Dick B. Paradise Research Publications, Inc., 1997
External links
- Photograph of Dr Robert Holbrook Smith on The Orange Papers website, copyright status unverified
- Text of Dr. Bob's famous last words in public at the First International Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous, July 28 - 30, 1950 at Cleveland, Ohio
- "Dr Bob's Home" website, Akron, Ohio
- Official homepage of Alcoholics Anonymous
- Robert Holbrook Smith's autobiography in AA's 'Big Book', copyright to First Edition expired
- Unofficial Alcoholics Anonymous history site
- Extensive directory of AA pioneers
- The Orange Papers, a critical review of Alcoholics Anonymous and the Oxford Group
- "Turning Point: A Comprehensive History of the Spiritual Roots of A.A.
- "The Oxford Group and Alcholics Anonymous," a study of the origin, roots, program, and relationship to A.A. and its Steps of the Oxford Group
- "New Light on Alcoholism: God, Sam Shoemaker, and A.A.," a comprehensive review of the role and contributions of Rev. Sam Shoemaker to A.A.
- "The Good Book and The Big Book: A.A.'s Roots in the Bible," details on the basic ideas the A.A. program borrowed from the Holy Bible
