Thomas Pynchon's Mason & Dixon (1997)
Read Professor Irwin Corey's acceptance speech for Pynchon's 1974 National Book Award for Gravity's Rainbow.
Also, have a look at Douglas Kløvedal Lannark's exhaustive documenting of "love" in Gravity's Rainbow.
Communiqué from a Descendant
We received this email from Eileen Smith in September 2004
I am a descendant of J. Dixon.
I was wondering where you found your info on my great great, great grandfather as I would love to know more on my family for genealogy purposes.
He was different, and I will say we are a bit eccentric in some ways, and that eclectic personality trait did continue through our line. The Masonic trend continued. Many high ranking Masons my great Uncles, grandfather etc., spiritualists, actors, just an interesting blend of intellectuals with a touch of the dramatic in them. Very interesting people. They became pretty prominent until the crash of 1928. Grand Masons, railroad tycoons, owned large parts of Camden, NJ and other towns and cities. Just before that happened my grandfather had a speakeasy in the cellar and rubbed elbows with people of the time, Oona Chaplin and Henry Miller, etc.
My dad was a surveyor until he retired too. I see similarities. Like my great grandfather I've always been into astronomy and I have a 7 foot telescope here in the house. Its interesting to see things like that. Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.
[Recently, we received this follow-up from Eileen...]
Recent talk in my family is whether or not he was a great great uncle or GGG. No one seems to know for sure. Those connected to him became very wealthy and prominent Philadelphians, vice president of Penn railroad back in the early 20th century, Head of the eastern portion of the Masonic Temple, etc.
