The New York herald., 1921-01-23
MODEST AUTHOR
LEADS CURIOUS
A LONG SEARCH
William Denham, Knight
on Prime Minister'S List,
Proves Mystery.
EXPERTS ARE PUZZLED
Coalition Whip Ultimately Re-
members and Identifies
Unionist Supporter.
EXPERTS ARE PUZZLED

Special Gable to TIE New York HERALD.
Copyright 1871, bp THE NEW Yokk HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
London. Jan. 22.
There is such thing as OVERRIDING
modesty in the opinion of persons in
London literary circles who for some
DAYS worried themselves considerably
with efforts to find out who one of the
newly made knights by the name of
william Denham could be. The name
appeared under the heading knight"
In the list issued by the Prime Min
ister. He was described merely as
author and writer" But it seems
that no one had ever heard OF William
Denham, nor could they think Of any
thing he had written.
Inquiries became so widespread and
curiosity became so keen AZ TO why and
for what special deed the unknown had
been raised to kpighthood that the Lon
don Daily Mail finally assigned re-
porter to solve the mystery. He began
by looking through all the English refer
ence books that make any pretence at
listing notables--about score of them.
including Who's Who, London telephone
and post office directories. Publishers
Catalogue the Literary Who's Who
Sells Worlds Press and the British
Imperial Calendar without getting a
clue.
Next he made inquiries Of the secretary
Of Premier Lloyd George. the Authors
CI-b. Max Pensberton OK the London
School Of Journalism, Sir Harry Britain
of the Pilgrims. the headquarters of the
Unionist party. the Board Of Trade. the
coalition whips office and dozen Gov
ernment Offices and other likely places.
at the end of which search his score
still was zero.
Finally the indefatigable reporter be-
gan calling up all the Denhams in the
telephone book. One OF these afforded a
slight hope. Yes. he had n book in his
library by a Denham. He would look it
up. But he returned to the telephone
presently to announce that the Denham
who had written that book had not used
his initials and that besides II was
printed in 1872. SO that the author prob
ably was no longer among the living
The editor of the Whitehall Gazette, a
Government organ. said he had some
data somewhere about William Dem
ham and would look them up. But later he
announced that he had made n mistake.
that the name he had been thinking OF
was Sir Wilfred Denham. about whom
he knew nothing. The reporter went
back TO the reference books again with
out results.
At last the mystery was solved after
n fashion by Lord Edmund Talbot, Chief
Coalition Whip. who said that he had
put forward the name OF Sir Wifred,
buk even he could not remember exactl,
for what reason he had put the name
forward
"Sir Wilfred is n very old supporter
OF the Unionist party" he explained.
He Is now very old man. He has
from time to time written political arti-
cles for the party. and during the war
he wrote an important article or PAM
phlet or book-I cannot remember for
the moment whether-it was a poem or In
prose but / am quite sure it was some
thing important. Possibly il was some
thing for the music halls. At any rate.
it was very popular. but the name OF II
has gone out Of my head Sir Wilfreds
name was put forward twice before, but
was overlooked. But | am glad IL went
throuah this time. for his work has been
important and well deserving OF the
honor