The Bull of Baltimore

Is it becoming modesty in a city, or just cluelessness, to cede to others the celebration of literary lions bred in that city’s midst?

Five years ago, for the 75th anniversary of publication of The Maltese Falcon, San Francisco did it up big with newspaper articles and library displays. Dashiell Hammett had set the action of his novel there. But Hammett (1894-1961), of Great Mills and Baltimore, Maryland, got scant attention in these parts. His best-known work hit another round number this year – a 1930 novel turns 80 – and once again, bashfulness reigns among Baltimorons. (That is what we call ourselves, but don’t you try.)