Tommy Keen

Graham McDermott gave me the sad news that Tommy Keen died on the 9^th December, 2003. He had recently celebrated his ninetieth birthday. Despite his profound deafness, he was still giving talks to the end. Only a week or so before his death he gave a lecture on ‘Gracie’.

He was the world authority on Gracie Fields – and was lucky (privileged, in his word) to have been able to call her a real friend. From this friendship came his acclaimed biography Gracie Fields. Among his collection were many unique Gracie artefacts that he delighted in showing to people. To hear about such a star (in the true meaning of the word) at first hand was a rare privilege.

In the Hobby World, he was an indefatigable researcher – well known in the Reading Room at the British Library. He, before even Bill Lofts and Derek Adley, catalogued the Gem. A thorough and meticulous piece of research. Tommy was a founder member of The Friars' Club.

An expert on Girls' Magazines, he collaborated with Mary Cadogan on "Cliff House & Morcove", "The Morcove Companion" and "From Wharton Hall to Linton Hall". With Graham McDermott, he wrote "Devotion, Emotion, Religion, and Death".

In addition, he contributed 70 articles to Collectors' Digest, Collectors' Digest Annual, and The Friars' Chronicles between 1974 and 1997.

Graham produced a tribute booklet "Keen on Greyfriars" (which Graham & I are considering republishing).

While he could be didactic, Tommy had a lively mind, a wicked sense of humour, could argue the hind legs off a donkey, and be both the most cantankerous and most generous of people all at the same time!

He was, in the true meaning, an original – and will be much missed.