Announcing our second-ever Plantagenet Angel – Pauline Calkin!

The American Branch’s Plantagenet Angel Award was created to recognize the support of our most generous donors.  In 2022, we gave this award to W. Bowman “Bo” Cutter of New York City, and this year, 2024, we are very happy to present the award to Pauline Calkin of Redlands, California.

Pauline has been our volunteer librarian of fiction books for the past three years, has written many contributions to our book reviews, and generously identified the American Branch as a beneficiary to receive a cash distribution from a managed asset. She has been a member since 2019, and has graced us with her presence and camaraderie at past GMMs. Pauline tells her Ricardian story below in her own words:

 “I didn’t join the Society until 2019. While on a walking tour of the Cotswolds, I was at Sudeley Castle in an area with displays devoted to Eleanor Talbot and Richard III (favorably portrayed). A stranger standing next to me exclaimed with absolute certitude, “Oh, he killed those boys.” Although I was not able to persuade her otherwise, I regaled our tour leader about Richard and his good laws, prefacing my remarks with “I’m not a member of the Richard III Society, but . . . .” He replied that I probably should become a member, so I joined when I got back home. I became the Fiction Librarian in 2021 so I have been able to indulge in my love of historical fiction.

“Membership has given me so many learning opportunities “

“Membership has given me so many learning opportunities with the publications of both the UK and the American branch as well the zoom talks, and, as a result, I have developed a deeper interest in studying Richard and his time. I support the mission of the Society and am happy to donate to that cause.”

“I graduated magna cum laude from UCLA with a degree in political science and three years later with a J.D. degree from UCLA Law School. After passing the California Bar Exam, I worked as a research attorney for the San Bernardino County Superior Court for over 15 years and then for 24 years as a writs attorney for the California Court of Appeals.”

We are fortunate to have Pauline as a member and we Congratulate her on receiving the Plantagenet Award, the second ever since its creation!