Mark Keller and E. M. Jellinek
E. M. Jellinek
A sketch by Vera Efron
The friendship between E. M. Jellinek and Mark Keller, beyond their professional relationship, is well documented. At the beginning, Jellinek was a mentor to Keller, but later, Keller was instrumental in publishing Jellinek’s most significant works. Keller remained a loyal friend and colleague to Jellinek throughout their 25-year relationship and his loyalty grew even more after Jellinek’s death.
Keller can be credited for much of what we know about Jellinek, tirelessly preserving Jellinek’s legacy through presentations and publications. Keller clearly understood that the more we learn about Jellinek, the more we know about the foundation of alcohol studies as a discipline. He made several attempts to write Jellinek’s bibliography, as shown in her correspondence with Jellinek’s former wife, Thelma Anderson Pierce, preserved in the Keller Papers.
Some of the Jellinek mythology comes from hearsay and word-of-mouth stories. Keller’s contributions help put Jellinek’s biographical information in the proper context, rather than editorializing it or using it to push an agenda.
- Keller, M. (1960). E. M. Jellinek at seventy. Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 21(1), 1-4. (as M. K.)
- Keller, M. (1964). E. M. Jellinek (1890–1963). Alumni News of the Summer School of Alcohol Studies, 29(1), 5.
- [Keller, M.] (1985). Conversation with Mark Keller. British Journal of Addiction, 80(1), 5–9.
Mark Keller
A sketch by Vera Efron
The project that started it all
Mark Keller began working with Dr. Norman Jolliffe at Bellevue Hospital in NYC during the mid-1930s. When the Research Council on Alcohol Problems received a grant from the Carnegie Foundation to review the literature on the effects of alcohol on individuals, Dr. Jolliffe was appointed medical director of the project and launched it at NYU Medical School with Keller as his editorial and research assistant. Dr. Jolliffe hired E.M. Jellinek to serve as the project’s executive director.
Although Jellinek had been named executive director of the literature review, it is evident from interviews and quotes that Jellinek was not entirely trusted, particularly regarding financial matters. Keller states that Jolliffe sent him to the Academy to keep an eye on Bunky. However, according to Keller, Jellinek recognized Jolliffe’s suspicions and played along quite well. He understood the role Keller was expected to play even better than Keller himself.
Co-authored by Jellinek and Keller
Keller, M., Efron, V., & Jellinek, E. M. (1953). Manual of the Classified Abstract Archive of the Alcohol Literature. Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol.
Moving on to Yale
Once the alcohol literature review was finished, Jellinek was invited to join Yale's Laboratory of Applied Physiology, which would sow the seeds for the Center of Alcohol Studies. Jellinek brought with him the results of the literature review and continued his work.
In 1942, Mark Keller joined him at Yale, where they collaborated on numerous projects. Jellinek and Keller made significant contributions to alcohol research literature, among them the Classified Abstract Archive of Alcohol Literature, manuals, publications focused on organizing and disseminating information, and extensive bibliographies.
“The beginning of a beautiful friendship”
Beyond their professional relationship, Jellinek and Keller developed a close friendship. Jellinek’s former wife, Thelma Anderson Pierce, fondly recalled Keller staying at their home and the two working all night. Keller’s affection for Jellinek is obvious in letters, speeches, and memorials.
As the field of alcohol studies grew, Jellinek encouraged Keller to grow and seek new opportunities. Jellinek invited Keller to join him in becoming a research consultant. Keller worried he could not join an endeavor about which he knew nothing, but Jellinek encouraged him, saying that "thinking is more important than knowing."
E. M. Jellinek, Sc. D., Chairman of NCA from 1944 to 1949
A clipping from the National Council on Alcoholism 40th anniversary commemorative journal, 1944-1984 depicting Jellinek, an accomplished scholar in alcohol studies in the mid-1940s.
Alcohol education: Alcohol in 1 cc urine
The plaque from a travel exhibit depicts various phases of intoxication from dry and decent to dead drunk.
The letterhead indicates the "Study of the effects of alcohol on the individual" with the New York Academy of Medicine address, i.e., the alcohol litarature review project sponsored by the Carnegie Foundation.
Notable are the stick figures featuring head shots of researchers participating in the study, including E. M. Jellinek, Mark Keller, and Vera Efron.
Keller’s loyalty to Jellinek
Cover of Jellinek's seminal book, edited and published by Mark Keller
Publishing Jellinek
The encouragement and admiration went both ways. Jellinek was a mentor to Keller, but Keller was also responsible for helping to create and produce some of Jellinek’s most accomplished work.
After Jellinek’s departure from the Center, he and Keller maintained a close working relationship. In addition to editing Jellinek’s book, The Disease Concept of Alcoholism, Keller was instrumental in having the work published, corresponding with him all the time while Jellinek was in Canada.
Even after Jellinek’s death, Keller was invited to carry on his work and was asked to complete the alcohol encyclopedia Jellinek had been working on.
Mark Keller also excelled in promoting Jellinek's work
Jellinek Memorial Award
Mark Keller remained a loyal friend and colleague to Jellinek throughout their 25-year relationship. After Jellinek’s death Keller’s loyalty only grew. He wrote several memorials, articles, and remembrances of his friend. In each of these, he stressed the importance of Jellinek’s role in changing and developing the alcohol research field.
- Keller, M. (1964). E.M. Jellinek--a permanent memorial. Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol 25(3), 573-575.(as M. K.)
- Keller, M. (1964). Appreciation of Professor E. M. Jellinek. British Journal of Addiction, 60(1), 2-5.
Keller so admired Bunky that in 1964, along with several others, he created the Jellinek Memorial Fund, which has been awarding the most prestigious award, the Jellinek Memorial Award since 1968. Mark Keller was its first elected President, and R. Brinkley Smithers was Vice President and Treasurer.In addition to a cash prize, the winner receives a bust of Jellinek, the "Bunky." Keller Was the recipient of the award in 1977. His inscribed bust is on display at the Center’s Conference Room.
- Read more about the Jellinek Award in the interview with its long-time chair in: Kalant, H. (2017). Broad Thinking: An Interview With Harold Kalant. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 78(1), 158–165.
Mark Keller's "Bunky"
The ”Bunky" is the bust, cast in bronze, awarded by the Jellinek Memorial Foundation, memorializing E. M. Jellinek's preferred nickname. Awarded to Mark Keller in 1977, his copy of the "Bunky" is displayed in the Center of Alcohol Studies Conference Room in Smithers Hall at Rutgers.