Last year Author Barbara Gregorich, biographer of Charlie Chan creator Author Earl Derr Biggers, informed me she was contacted by Harvard University alumni Mr. Alan Farnham, class of ’77, in regards to The Harvard Lampoon‘s “Ghost Project.” Mr. Farnham has been a writer for both Forbes and Fortune Magazines. The Ghost Project, a part of the magazine’s 150 Anniversary celebration, April 24-26, 2026, has commissioned mini-bios on forty of their dearly departed alumni. I found this apt description of the magazine, within one of the dearly departed alumni’s bio:
“The Harvard Lampoon of the 1920s was a tiny enclave of satire and hedonism, tucked within the university at large.”
Harvard University (Est 1636) is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States! For some idea how these aristocratic, select members (that is those still among us) plan to “romp and rollick” during the weekend’s festivities, here’s a snapshot from their Homepage:
Looking through the list of forty distinguished Lampoon Ghosts, some were polymaths, some oenophiles, and one even a champion of ecumenicity! (yes, I had to look those up.) However, these two stood out specifically for me:
- EARL DERR BIGGERS ’07, playwright and novelist (the Charlie Chan mysteries) and owner of the distinction of having one book (Seven Keys to Baldpate) adapted as a film at least nine times and, with George M. Cohan, as a hit play, listens with amusement, while… (Writer: Alan Farnham ’77)
- JOHN P. MARQUAND ’15 has a good guffaw. Marquand’s early success with his Chan-inspired “Mr. Moto” spy novels was followed by a career as one of America’s most distinguished authors, winning a Pulitzer for The Late George Apley… (Writer: David Mandel ’92)
Neither Biggers nor Marquand were part of the heyday of Harvard’s Gold Coast attendees. Both attended public schools. Biggers attended Harvard through the generosity of a well-to-do uncle, while Marquand won a scholarship enabling him to attend. However, they both became successful in their chosen professions, notably in their recognition in this month’s celebration!
The “Ghosts Wrangler and Editor” for this dearly departed’s project is Mr. David M. Irons, Class of ’68. These 40 mini-bios are short, captivating and inspiring reading. I found them quite irresistible; finishing one then on to the next, and the next one, and the next, etc. etc. etc.! A few are MIA but hopefully soon to come. Within them you’ll find: the designer of the IBM Selectric typewriter, a noted Paris food blogger, America’s foremost sculptor of celebrated livestock, a TV writer who worked on Married with Children and The Simpsons, a media monger with 28 newspapers, 13 magazines, and eight radio stations, one of the first woman admitted to the University, and many other fascinating individuals.
So dig into those bios my fellow plebeians, and enjoy with me by osmosis Harvard Lampoon’s Sesquicentennial Celebration Weekend!
Postscript. Did you spot Bigger and Marquand atop the “Lampoon’s Ghosts” page linked above? Well here’s an easier way on their Ghosts of Christmas Past page. They’re standing next to newspaper man and poet Ernest Lawrence Thayer, 1885; who by the way, wrote the single most famous baseball poem in history, Casey at The Bat!
“A gem is not polished without rubbing nor a man perfected without trials”
(The Black Camel, 1929, Chapter 24)
The Postman on Holiday 