"The Vicious Circle"

So what exactly is "The Vicious Circle?"  More formally known as the "Algonquin Round Table,"  "The Vicious Circle" was a group of journalists, press agents, actors and editors who met fairly often at the Algonquin Hotel on West 44th Street in New York, New York.  The group began meeting in June of 1919 and lasted until about 1927.

"The Vicious Circle's" members ranged from New York Times critic, Alexander Woolcott, founder of The New Yorker, Harold Ross, to famous poest and writers such as Dorothy Parker, along with about 22 other people who met in the Rose Room of the hotel for luncheons.

It all started when a number of writers met up one day at the hotel on 44th street, and had such a great time, they came back again the next day... and the day after that.  Before they knew it, it became a regular activity.

At the luncheons, the group of highly influential people of the time, would contribute their knowledge and talents to popular newspaper columns, magazines, best selling books, and famous plays.  They were smart, fluent, and also worked together in creating staged comedies such as The Royal Family and Dulcy.

By 1925, the "Algonquin Round Table" became famous.  No longer were they just a group of individuals who met for lunch at a hotel.  They were a group of inspiring men and women who led the journalistic and entertainment aspects of our country.  Across the entire country, people would follow their every word, and if the fans were lucky enough to live on the east coast, they would pop in to the hotel and catch their lunch in session.

As America entered the Depression in the 1930's the era of the "Algonquin Round Table" began to fade.  Members of the group went their separate ways.  Some moved out west to Hollywood, and others found new careers here on the east coast.      

Algonquin Hotel

Today, the Algonquin Hotel and the "Algonquin Round Table" remain highly influential.  It has been mentioned in at least three sitcoms as an ironic punchline against people who have done cowardly acts.  And, we are still reading some of the table member's works today, such as Dorothy Parker, who has now become one of my favorite poets.

Fitzpatrick, Kevin C. "The Algonquin Hotel." Algonquin Round Table. 2008. Web. 02 Oct. 2011. <http://algonquinroundtable.org/algonquin.html>.


Vicious Circle. Photograph.


"The Algonquin Round Table - About the Algonquin | American Masters | PBS." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. 8th Nov. 1998. Web. 03 Oct. 2011. <http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/the-algonquin-round-table/about-the-algonquin/527/>.


The Algonquin Hotel. Photograph.