Svend Petersen (March 13, 1911 – January 18, 1992) was a Danish-born author, political researcher and analyst,Oil City Pennsylvania Derrick Newspaper Publication February 7, 1957 Trans-O-Gram puzzle creator, one of the four founding officers of The Red Circle of Washington, D.C., Red Circle DC About us accessed August 17, 2011" Sherlock Holmes Society Article and a member of The Baker Street Irregulars.
Early life and career Svend was born on March 13, 1911, in Kolding, Denmark, the son of Karen Elizabeth and Alarius Peter Vilhelm Petersen. At 10 months of age, his parents immigrated with him to the United States, arriving at Ellis Island April 20, 1912, on board the RMS Celtic (1901)." Ellis Island Foundation Passenger Record" Ellis Island Foundation Passenger Record
Little is known about his early life until about 1920 where the US Federal Census finds him living in Salem, Kenosha, Wisconsin with his mother, sister, brother and Uncle." 1920 United States Federal Census" His father is believed to have died a year earlier. In 1925 the Iowa State Census finds him living Newell, Buena Vista, IowaMicrofilm of Iowa State Censuses, 1856, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, 1925 as well various special censuses from 1836-1897 obtained from the State Historical Society of Iowa via Heritage Quest. with his sister Helen. The whereabouts of his mother are unknown at this point. The 1930 US Federal Census finds him renting a room in Newell, Buena Vista, Iowa.Microfilm of Iowa State Censuses, 1856, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, 1925 as well various special censuses from 1836-1897 obtained from the State Historical Society of Iowa via Heritage Quest.
From late 1950 through the 1970s Svend worked in a political research capacity for several Republican congressmen. OFFICE OF HON. DON CLAUSENEWSPAPER: Derrick, The PUBLICATION: 7 Feb 1957 - Oil City, Pennsylvania; Worked for Senator Gordon Allott R-Colorado
Published books The testamentary capacity of Sherlock Holmes; Parallel case; The unwritten canon lore, 1953 I claim urgency!, 1953 A statistical history of our Presidential elections, 1955 A Sherlock Holmes Almanac, 1956 Mark Twain & the Government, 1960 House of Representatives voting records for 1959, 1960 House of Representatives voting records for 1960, 1960 A Statistical History of the American Presidential Elections, 1963 The Gettysburg Addresses The Story of Two Orations, 1963 A Statistical History of the American Presidential Elections., 1968 Trans-o-grams: Fifty brand new, hitherto unpublished puzzles, containing quotes of historical, political and Biblical interest, interspersed with poetical wit and humor, 1973 A Statistical History of the American Presidential Elections: With Supplementary Tables Covering 1968-1980, 1981
Other published works The Little Rock against the Big Rock, 1943" The Arkansas Historical Quarterly" Arkansas' Favorite Son, 1944" The Arkansas Historical Quarterly" Arkansas State Tuberculosis Sanatorium: The Nation's Largest, 1946" The Arkansas Historical Quarterly" Arkansas in Presidential Elections, 1963" The Arkansas Historical Quarterly" President Carter and the Honeymooners, National Review, 1977" National Review"
Family and death
On September 4, 1937, Svend married Mary Agnes Ates." Arkansas Marriage Index, 1933-1939" Mary is the niece of Roscoe Blevel Ates. Svend and Mary produced three children – two boys and one girl.
Svend died on January 18, 1992, of natural causes in Seminole, Florida.
Historical importance
While Svend never played a 'front stage' role in American Politics, his dedication to research helped public officials clearly articulate issues affecting the United States. His writings are frequently referenced by political pundits, college students writing papers and researches seeking statistical clarity on our political history. He was a man with merely a high school education but a superior intellect and a strong desire to help his country succeed.
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