The Mycroft
“He has the tidiest and most orderly brain, with the greatest capacity for storing facts ...” (BRUC)
HISTORY
In January of 1991, as Watson's Tin Box completed its first year of operations, co-founder Paul Churchill, BSI, hosted an "Annual Dinner" for the society at his home. As part of the festivities, the Tin Box's other co-founder (and monthly quiz-master), Steve Clarkson, BSI, designed a 60-question "Canonical Inquisition" covering all the stories the group had read and discussed over the previous year. By the second Annual Dinner, the event had been christened "The Mycroft," after Sherlock's big-brained big brother. The dinner and Inquisition became a Tin Box tradition, and both Paul's hospitality and Steve's quizzes are legendary among Tin Box long-timers.
In a continuation of this tradition, the January meeting of Watson's Tin Box is held, as usual, on the third Monday and features a 60-question, Canon-spanning quiz devised by Steve's current successor in the role of "Torquemada." There's no pressure to participate, but the exercise, while challenging, is intended to be fun for all. The Mycroft Award (conferring a year's possession of the Mycroft plaque and all associated bragging rights) is given to the person who achieves the highest score. The Strangers' Room Award (established by Torquemada II, Beth Austin, ASH) goes to the highest scorer among the self-designated Sherlockian "newbies" taking the quiz (this category can only be competed in once).
2026's MYCROFT
The 2026 edition of The Mycroft occurred on zoom on the fourth Monday of the month, January 26, 2026. The killer quiz this year entitled "Women in the Canon" was duly administered by Torquemadae Olivia Millunzi. High scorer Edith Pounden, earned the "Mycroft Award" honors, while the "Stranger's Room" honoree was Victoria Wood.
Also at the meeting, folks who had attended BSI Weekend earlier in January reported on the various festivities. Finally, it was announced that the duties of Gasogene for 2026 would continue to be held by Matthew Hall. He will designate someone to shadow him to learn the Gasogene ropes.
HISTORY
In January of 1991, as Watson's Tin Box completed its first year of operations, co-founder Paul Churchill, BSI, hosted an "Annual Dinner" for the society at his home. As part of the festivities, the Tin Box's other co-founder (and monthly quiz-master), Steve Clarkson, BSI, designed a 60-question "Canonical Inquisition" covering all the stories the group had read and discussed over the previous year. By the second Annual Dinner, the event had been christened "The Mycroft," after Sherlock's big-brained big brother. The dinner and Inquisition became a Tin Box tradition, and both Paul's hospitality and Steve's quizzes are legendary among Tin Box long-timers.
In a continuation of this tradition, the January meeting of Watson's Tin Box is held, as usual, on the third Monday and features a 60-question, Canon-spanning quiz devised by Steve's current successor in the role of "Torquemada." There's no pressure to participate, but the exercise, while challenging, is intended to be fun for all. The Mycroft Award (conferring a year's possession of the Mycroft plaque and all associated bragging rights) is given to the person who achieves the highest score. The Strangers' Room Award (established by Torquemada II, Beth Austin, ASH) goes to the highest scorer among the self-designated Sherlockian "newbies" taking the quiz (this category can only be competed in once).
2026's MYCROFT
The 2026 edition of The Mycroft occurred on zoom on the fourth Monday of the month, January 26, 2026. The killer quiz this year entitled "Women in the Canon" was duly administered by Torquemadae Olivia Millunzi. High scorer Edith Pounden, earned the "Mycroft Award" honors, while the "Stranger's Room" honoree was Victoria Wood.
Also at the meeting, folks who had attended BSI Weekend earlier in January reported on the various festivities. Finally, it was announced that the duties of Gasogene for 2026 would continue to be held by Matthew Hall. He will designate someone to shadow him to learn the Gasogene ropes.
