Q: OK Scott, Since you answered a pretty obscure question about PBR (or was it a PBJ?), which was not about a relationship, I’m figuring you’re looking to spread your wings a bit.
You knew something about beer, how ’bout something about literature — sorta. I recall reading that Truman Capote’s royalties go to someone or some organization totally unexpected. Can you jog my memory?
SCOTT: I love trivia.
How about this: did you know Truman Capote’s real name was Truman Streckfus Persons? Don’t make me try to say that middle name after a couple of drinks, either!
We all know Truman was a writer and playwright who gave us “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and countless other magnificent works, but where do the royalties go now that he’s no longer with us? How the heck would I know?
Well, with just a few keystrokes I found out. After Mr. Capote died of liver disease exacerbated from multiple drug intoxication, the Truman Capote Literary Trust was established, thanks to his will.
It’s a trust funded by the royalties and is designed to reward literary criticism and help creative writing students. Nice. Stanford and the University of Iowa administer the awards.
The “unexpected” part I believe you were referring to, is that Truman established the trust in the memory of Newton Arvin, a reclusive critic and one-time boyfriend.
Unfortunately, Mr. Arvin’s homosexuality was exposed in the late ’40s (hate when that happens!) and in 1960 he was found guilty of possessing softcore homosexual themed “physique pictures.” Today, we call them fitness magazines.