BM: What is the weirdest/most memorable question you’ve gotten from a library patron?
MM: I’m lucky to work with collections that are rare or downright unique, and thus researchers with very specific, some might say ‘niche’ projects. Since I’m an avid crossword puzzler, I was very excited when David Kwong, a New York Times crossword constructor, wanted to take a look at our collection of material related to Riverbank Labs.
For context, an early 20th century Chicagoan named George Fabyan believed Sir Francis Bacon to be the author of Shakespeare’s works, and that Bacon had encoded proof of his authorship within the texts. Fabyan tasked the team at Riverbank with discovering a cipher system to decrypt these messages; two of his employees, Elizebeth and William Friedman, went on to legendary careers in cryptanalysis. We have Riverbank’s original letters, deciphering notes, student exercises, and the like, providing an intimate glimpse into their daily work. David was so taken with the collection and the story it represented that it informed his show The Enigmatist. (And he kindly agreed to this shout-out!)
