The Parkhurst Legacy

All but banished from the “official” story, Henry G. Parkhurst became the most neglected significant figure involved in early A.A. history. Had he stayed sober, he would surely be remembered today as one of the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Instead, his name and place in the official histories have been all but eliminated.

Hank’s slip back into drinking was catastrophic and the price he paid – both personally and historically – was severe in the extreme.

But there is no denying that Henry Giffen Parkhurst was central, essential, and invaluable to the creation of both the Fellowship of A.A. and the book, Alcoholics Anonymous and, as such, he can rightfully claim substantial credit for saving the lives of millions of drunks worldwide.

Without him, it is possible there would never been a worldwide movement for us to be talking about today.

The downfall of this man who was so responsible for the creation of the Big Book and who forced such significant and far-reaching changes to some of Bill Wilson’s more dogmatic positions was a tragedy of the first order and a living testimony to the devastating power of active alcoholism.

Hank’s relapse into drinking was an event that colored so much of what came before – and after.

Requiescat in Pace Rest in peace

HANK PARKHURST (1895-1954)

Rarely have so many owed so much to such a forgotten man