David McCullough was a well-regarded historian and two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize. His death on August 7, 2022 at the age of 89, reminded me that we had met once and that we even corresponded.

After hearing him speak at Illinois State University in February of 2007, I wrote to him about my research into the life of Nelson Dean Jay. A man who grew up in my small town in central Illinois and went on to be a key player in the banking world in Paris during WWI & WWII. I thought a leading historian might be interested in this story and I wrote to him in hopes of getting some advice or encouragement for my own book. I am not sure I actually expected a response. Therefore, you can imagine my surprise when I received a two-page handwritten letter in reply. Now I don’t know if David McCullough was in the habit of writing responses to everyone who wrote to him, but I was thrilled to get his letter. It is one of my most treasured possession as a writer, and in his memory, I would like you to read his words. They meant a lot to me and I hope other writers will find value in what he shared with me back in 2008.

Dear Mr. Taylor,

            Thank you very much for taking the time to write and for sending me your essay on Nelson Dean Jay. It was extremely thoughtful of you.

            Years ago, when I was beginning work on my first book, I had the mistaken idea in my head that I must not talk about what I was doing because someone might steal my idea. I found out soon enough what foolishness that was – that, in fact, I should tell as many as possible about what I was up to, on the chance that some unexpected someone would have information of a kind I might never come across otherwise. And that has been exactly what has happened time and again with each and every project I’ve undertaken, and your material on Mr. Jay is a perfect example.

            If, as time goes by, you have more you think I should see, I’ll be very pleased to hear from you. In the meantime, I’d love to know whether there are any Jay papers – letter, diaries, and the like – and if so, are they at Knox College?

            Many thanks and best wishes,

                                        David McCullough

I followed David McCullough’s advice and continued to share with many people what I was learning about Nelson Dean Jay. McCullough was right. I uncovered many interesting stories that I might never have learned.  Later, I met with many members of the Jay family and they were able to confirm many of those stories.

After all these years, I am confident that I responded to Mr. McCullough’s question about the Jay papers, but I can’t remember what I shared with him.  Nevertheless, I was blessed to have access to many of the family diaries. After speaking to a grandson who lives in Spokane (WA), I even obtained Mr. Jay’s footlocker from WWI that include passports, bankbooks and datebooks listing everyone he met with while living and working in Paris. These included many celebrities, but you will have to read my forthcoming book to find out more.