Albert Kennedy Rowswell

              1936
55

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Albert Kennedy Rowswell 
Humorist   Philosopher   Author
His presentations are unique in character, wholesome in thought, irresistible in humor, all the result of deep study and a sympathetic understanding of life.


Assassin of Gloom

'Rosey' Rowswell is a real 'Assassin of Gloom' (with a double O)—the most perfect humorist we have ever heard.  He gave his audience the jesters of a king, the humor of Mark Twain, the wit of Bobby Burns, the profoundness and sublimity of St. Paul, intermingled with the simplicity of James Whitcomb Riley.  He proved that he is a reader, a humorist, and a great philosopher.
Buffalo (N. Y.) Railway Chronicle.

He is one of the rare spirits of this nation.  Any man will be happier and better for having been in his presence.  I am always glad to hear him and be near him.  'Rosey' believes in humor, and always has a large stock of it himself.

Edgar A. Guest.

'Rosey' Rowswell has attained to a high place in the esteem of the public through his appearances as an after-dinner speaker and humorist throughout the country.  He has astonished his radio audiences with his ability to give them an hour's message in fifteen minutes, for though he speaks with machine gun rapidity, he always gets his message across and leaves with his listeners a healthier, more optimistic outlook, and a desire to help make this old world a better place in which to live.

KDKA Radio Bookworm.



For terms and dates address:
T. H. ROWSWELL
906 BESSEMER BUILDING
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania





Assassin of Gloom


ALBERT KENNEDY ROWSWELL has earned for himself an enviable reputation as Humorist, Philosopher, and Entertainer.  He has a genius for discovering poems written by men who know the human heart.  He does more than commit such poems to memory—he absorbs them until they are a part of himself, and then gives them to his audience with a touch of his own personality, which makes them richer than they were.

As a Humorist, Mr. Rowswell excels because he is himself possessed of genuine humor and is ever watching for what is truly humorous in literature and in life.  As an after-dinner speaker, he has an ease and force which immediately win for him the attention and interest of his hearers.  His stories are never labored, and his audience can never anticipate him.  A rapid speaker, with a retentive memory, he will tell story after story—each one with a clear-cut, clean, and striking point, until he seems to be a veritable book of choicest anecdotes and telling witticisms, spread open to the delighted gaze of those before him.

The entertainment which he provides is one that every audience will enjoy, because it presents decided variety.  Peals of laughter have not ceased before waves of pathos come, and his hearers find themselves under the spell of a rhapsody of wholesome, helpful philosophy, as he sends home his message in a most forceful and convincing manner.  No address of his has ever been 'too long.'

His platform work reflects his private life, which is not only one of domestic joy, but also of daily fellowship with men.  His association with large numbers of men in business and fraternal relations has, without effort to court popularity, brought him innumerable friends who hail his presence among them as the sign of approaching good cheer and wholesome merriment.  He is constantly in demand for repeat engagements, yet there is a variety in his programs that makes him ever welcome.

Because he touches the serious side of virile manhood, his humor comes with a substantial quality, the flavor of which adheres when only the echo of the speaker's voice remains.

Mr. Rowswell is still in comparative young manhood, being young enough to know the spirit of youth, yet old enough to plumb the depths of responsible maturity.  He is slender in body, virile in spirit, and combines such a totality of energy as to make him a veritable galvanic battery of physical and moral action, effectually insuring every audience against the possibility of dryness, of which he is practically incapable.

—W. Wofford T. Duncan




FROM ORGANIZATIONS
State of New Jersey
Executive Department
Trenton, N. J.

You were certainly great on Thursday.  Many people who had previously heard you said that 'you were good the first time but still better the second.'

Was talking with Morton Downey on the 'phone last night.  He still continues to rave about you * * *

My 'gang' joins in sending you the 'very best,' and by the way, if you still have another good speech in your system, they want me to sign you up for some time in the Spring.—Harold G. Hoffman, Governor.

The Transportation Club of Terre Haute
Terre Haute, Ind.

I wish it were possible for me to express in words my appreciation as well as the Club's for the very fine talk he gave us here.  Without question our meeting was one of the outstanding events of several years, and we have been highly complimented from all sources in bringing him here as our Speaker.—H. H. Worsham, President.

Lexington, Ky.

Last January we had Mr. Rowswell in Lexington for the annual meeting of the Lexington Board of Commerce and I can say to you without reservation that he made the most favorable impression upon our local gathering that has ever been made.  They are still talking of him and want him back again in the not too distant future.  We have had many outstanding speakers here but he excels them all.—W. Emmet Milward.

Wisconsin State Board of Vocational Education
Madison, Wis.

I consider Mr. Rowswell to be one of the outstanding humorous lecturers in the country.  As a result of his first appearance in this state in 1932, many Kiwanis Clubs in Wisconsin have had his services.  He is one of those lecturers who can repeat each time with a new original program.—W. F. Faulkes, State Supervisor.

The Rochester (N. Y.) Assn. of Credit Men
Rochester, N. Y.

About every two years we have a humorous speaker for one of our monthly meetings and for our April 1935 meeting we had the pleasure of hearing Mr. Albert Kennedy Rowswell, whose subject was 'The Value of a Laugh.'

His performance before our Association confirmed his reputation as one of the outstanding humorists of the day.  As an after dinner speaker he may be classed with the best; as an entertainer he has few equals; as a lecturer and philosopher he merits a place at the head of the list.  His fine, rapid delivery is probably unequaled by any other lecturers.  Our meeting with Mr. Rowswell was a huge success and I am sure that you can recommend him without reservation.—Herbert T. Haidt, Executive Secretary.

Farm Bureau Mutual Automobile Ins. Co.
Columbus, Ohio

Albert Kennedy Rowswell is one of the greatest humorists and entertainers that I have ever heard.

At the same time, he tells his story so effectively that at times the audience will discontinue its hilarious laughter and break into tears.  His rapid-fire, yet clearly enunciated delivery, is unsurpassable.

I would not hesitate to recommend Mr. Rowswell to any group.—L. J. Bennett, Sales Manager.

American Bituminous Retail Coal Merchants Association
Chicago, Ill.

It is unnecessary for me to say how successful Mr. Rowswell's talk was.  The reaction of the audience was convincing proof of an extraordinary job.  The result, in most flattering comments since the banquet, shows that the enthusiastic approval has been unanimous.—Kline L. Roberts, Executive Vice President.



ROSEY TRIBUTES

RECENT RETURN ENGAGEMENTS

Atlanta, Ga. 2
Altoona, Pa. 12
Atlantic City, N. J. 3
Baltimore, Md. 5
Boston, Mass. 4
Buffalo, N. Y. 2
Canton, Ohio 6
Chicago, Ill. 14
Cincinnati, Ohio 2
Clarksburg, W. Va. 9
Cleveland, Ohio 4
Columbus, Ohio 7
Cumberland, Md. 3
Detroit, Mich. 2
Harrisburg, Pa. 11
Jacksonville, Fla. 2
Johnstown, Pa. 13
Lancaster, Pa. 2
Mansfield, Ohio 11
Newark, N. J. 2
New York City 10
Norfolk, Va. 2
Reading, Pa. 2
Roanoke, Va. 3
Rochester, N. Y. 2
St. Louis, Mo. 5
Savannah, Ga. 3
Springfield, Mo. 2
Steubenville, Ohio 6
Warren, Pa. 7
Warren, Ohio 4
Washington, D. C. 4
Wheeling, W. Va. 6
Youngstown, Ohio 4

(Numeral indicates number of bookings)




Washington and Jefferson College

We have frequently heard Albert Kennedy Rowswell and are delighted to state that in the rapid fire of philosophical facts, clothed in gems from standard literature, together with innumerable side flashes that he is unusually well able to display, all carrying with them a burden of humor and substantial foundation, we have always been pleased, edified, and strengthened for the duties and privileges of another day.—S. S. Baker, President.



PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.
COPYRIGHT 1936. BY THOMAS BRADY



Frigidaire Corporation
Dayton, Ohio

I recently had the pleasure of traveling with Mr. Rowswell over a period of six weeks, where he was the principal speaker at Frigidaire convention banquets in fifteen cities throughout the country.  These banquets always followed a full day's convention program where we presented our products and sales plans to our selling organization.  Mr. Rowswell's talk each evening was always the high-light of the day's program, and he kept the audience in constant roars of laughter throughout his talk.

I considered him not only an outstanding humorist, but also a speaker with a fine message both inspirational and instructive for any group of men.  I think the best recommendation I can give for Rosey's entertaining talks is that after listening to him fifteen times in a row I enjoyed his last talk just as thoroughly as I did his first talk.—F. R. Pierce, Manager, Household Division.

After Dinner Club of Moline
Moline, Ill.

It has been our pleasure to hear Mr. Albert Kennedy Rowswell twice.  The first time we heard him was without his knowledge in another city and was for the purpose of judging whether he had the ability to present the proper kind of entertainment to our organization.  We engaged him for the After Dinner Club on our annual Ladies' Night, and after the meeting we knew that the judgment we passed on him the first time was correct because he went over one hundred per cent.—H. G. Struck, Secretary.

Shrine Club of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pa.

We sincerely appreciated his visit to our Shrine Club and the excellent address by him which has received a great amount of favorable comment.—Joseph M. Pratt, President.

Farm Equipment Institute
Chicago, Ill.

Comments on his after dinner talk were exceedingly flattering, and it would not be surprising that a number of those who heard him will want to have him appear at some of the club programs in their home towns.—Robert A. Jones.

New Jersey Rotary Clubs State Convention

I told Harold Hoffman, in a congratulatory message, and meant it, that our luncheon was the high spot of the whole conference.  He told us in his wire he was bringing a second Floyd Gibbons, but he sure did better than his promise—we're still talking about it, and will for a long time.  We're hoping to have him speak at one of our ladies' night or interclub meetings.—J. C. Ford.

Ohio Association of Ice Industries
Steubenville, Ohio

Just a short note to tell you that I have received more favorable comments concerning the banquet program at our recent convention than I ever have from a similar affair.  While it seems that the entire program made a hit, Mr. Rowswell is always mentioned as the head-liner.  It shall indeed be a pleasure to recommend him at any time to anyone seeking an entertainer and humorous speaker.—Guy W. Jacobs, Secretary.

H. Samson, Inc., Morticians
Pittsburgh, Pa.

I have heard him at a number of conventions, State and National, and have always enjoyed the privilege.  I do not know of any stronger endorsement I could put upon his work than to say that I have personally booked him for banquets and conventions at least a dozen times, and will do so again when the opportunity offers.  He is one after dinner speaker who is always worthy of repeat hearings.  To me, he can honestly be listed with the 'top-notchers' in the art of after-dinner speaking.—Arthur M. Tanner.

Commonwealth of Kentucky
Executive Chamber
Frankfort, Ky.

I heartly recommend Mr. Albert Kennedy Rowswell.—A. B. Chandler, Governor.




FROM ORGANIZATIONS
The Executives' Club of Chicago

He gave the members of our Chicago Executives' Club a message long to be remembered, when he appeared upon a recent program.  They are still talking about it, and more than that our radio response for copies of his address established a record to his credit over all other speakers we have had from time to time.—C. F. Reid, President.

Providence (R. I.) Teachers Association
Providence, R. I.

Mr. Rowswell was the principal speaker at the annual dinner of the Providence Teachers Association last January.  He fulfilled, yes more than fulfilled, our expectations of him as a humorous speaker.  He kept his audience in a gale of laughter from the beginning to the end of his address.  Scattered through it all were many sobering thoughts well worth remembering.  He appreciates the value of the homey things in life, getting a lot of fun out of his every day contacts.  Then in turn he passes that fun along.  We hope to bring him back to Providence again.—Marie R. Howard, President.

Rhode Island State College
Kingston, R. I.

I have heard a lot of fellows advertised as 'humorous' and interesting speakers—and then when you actually listen to them at a banquet you are disappointed.  In Mr. Rowswell's case there was no disappointment whatsoever.  He measured up in every way to the expectation created for him.  I hope that I may again, without too much time intervening, hear him.—R. G. Bressler, President.

Flint Industrial Executives Club
Flint, Mich.

We wanted to write just a line to tell you how successful was the meeting of our Club at which Albert K. (Rosey) Rowswell was the after dinner speaker.  In fact, the Committee voted that, thanks to Mr. Rowswell's humorous, thoroughly entertaining and original style, he made this one of the highlights of a very successful season.

I might add that while in Flint, Mr. Rowswell also spoke at the Kiwanis luncheon, where his reception was equally enthusiastic.—F. F. Corcoran, Chairman, Program Committee.

The Pennsylvania Society
256 Broadway, New York City

Mr. Rowswell's address, 'The Value of a Laugh,' delivered before the members of The Pennsylvania Society, showed rare ability as a poet, philosopher and humorist.—Robert J. Spence, Assistant to Secretary.

Winona (Ind.) Lake Institutions
Winona Lake, Ind.

It has been our good pleasure to present Mr. Albert Kennedy Rowswell on two or three different occasions here at Winona Lake, and he has been entirely satisfactory each time.

Mr. Rowswell has unusual ability as a humorous speaker and entertainer; he also has the ability to impart to the audience worthwhile messages contained in poetry of his own writing.  He is a rapid fire speaker and yet easy to follow and understand.  He is a gentleman in every sense of the word.  I am sure that he will please any audience.—James Heaton, Executive Manager.

Vermont State Farm Bureau
Burlington, Vt.

Mr. Albert Kennedy Rowswell came through so well on his first appearance at the Vermont State Farm Bureau Annual Banquet in 1932 that I feel that he made a real contribution in the growth of interest in these Annual affairs.  He repeated for us in 1934 and as a result of his good work on that occasion he was asked to fill a banquet engagement at the Farm Bureau Mutual Automobile Insurance Convention in 1935.  Mr. Rowswell is a good man!—A. H. Packard, President.



ROSEY TRIBUTES

SUBJECTS

The Value of a Laugh

a rapid flow of humor that is unsurpassed by any public speaker.  Into it is woven some of that homey, helpful philosophy that every audience enjoys, and with it a few minutes of serious thought that sends one home wishing there could have been more of it.
The Joy of Living
a verbal escalator that carries an audience from the depths of the valley to the mountain peaks.  Forty-five minutes of sane, sound thinking, with a heap o' laughs, a bit of verse, and (who knows?) maybe a tear or two.
Wit, Humor, and Philosophy
and his subject means just that.  Somehow or other he helps an audience find the sunshine, regardless of environment or temperament.
From the Heart of the Poet
a series of modern verse, dripped from the point of his own pen, and sweetened with the oil of human kindness—not poetry—but the kind of verse that you and I like to read and cherish.
The Man To Be
a lot of thought for busy men, salted down here and there with some startling facts about every day life that are all too often neglected.
Laughing at the Clouds
a riot of laughter from start to finish.  This address has been delivered to salesmen, executives, conventions, and banquet audiences in all parts of the country, and has probably brought more repeat engagements than anything of its kind.  Not a high pressure sales talk, but filled with the meat of inspiration that any sales group can retain and digest.
The Square and Compass
a fraternal lecture, which makes the blood of human brotherhood find its proper level—and stay there.
The Twentieth Century Dad
a typical father-and-son address, from which every father should learn something, and through which every son must profit.  In a most unusual fashion he helps to solve a lot of knotty problems that exist between father and son.
In Your Home and Mine
for a mixed audience nothing could be finer in the way of clean, wholesome, helpful humor.  The sort of presentation that helps to make your home a more valuable possession.  There's a laugh and a heart-beat in back of every utterance.




FROM THE PRESS

He is humorous; he has a style which is inimitable (aside from the speed with which he can talk intelligently and distinctly), and he sent us back to the daily grind feeling a lot happier.  He had us gasping for breath, and when we had just about caught up with him, he dashed off again, making it necessary for us to choke off our laughter so as not to miss his next bit of humor.  And he slips in a lot of philosophy, of the good old homey kind, which you digest with the yarns he tells—and tells well.—
New York Rotary Spokes.


Albert Kennedy Rowswell, a most unusual after-dinner speaker, poured forth a bombardment of genuine humor that had the house in an uproar for forty-five minutes.  State and local dignitaries, men and women, enjoyed every minute of his address, filled with story, verse, and wise philosophy.—
Grand Rapids (Mich.) Press.


'Rosey' Rowswell came into New Orleans as a Humorist, and left with a new title—an 'Apostle of Sunshine.'  He brought a lot of laughs for his audience, a few tears, and much of helpful philosophy.—
New Orleans Picayune.


Words in a stream, rolling forth at a pace of 300 to 350 per minute, humorous, serious, entertaining, provided a full-steam aftermath for more than five hundred Shriners of Aleppo Temple at the Hotel Statler yesterday, when the Boston Shriners saw and heard 'Rosey' Rowswell for the first time in action.  As he trained his rapid-fire artillery of oratory upon the assembly, however swift the utterance, there were thoughts worth while and a finish to ponder over.—
Boston (Mass.) Post.


'Rosey's' rapid-fire delivery was secondary to the quality of his entertainment.  Full of subtle humor, with never an off-color suggestion, his talk kept the Rotarians in a riot of laughter.  He did not talk a minute over time; we liked his address, his style, and could have easily listened to much more.  'Rosey' will be a welcome speaker before our Club again.—
Cincinnati (Ohio) Rotary Rays.


At the annual banquet of the Mansfield Real Estate Board last evening, Albert Kennedy Rowswell paid a return visit and, notwithstanding the fact that he has been here many times, he kept the realtors and their ladies in an uproar throughout the length of his address, all too short we might say.  His style of delivery is most unusual and, at the same time, extremely fascinating, while his messages are always entertaining and helpful.—
Mansfield (Ohio) News.


Speaking at the meeting of the Shrine last evening in the Temple, Albert Kennedy Rowswell brought one of the most interesting messages we have heard in a long, long time.  He is one of the most delightful story tellers ever to appear in Springfield.—
Springfield (Mo.) News.


Kiwanians were given a rare treat yesterday when Albert Kennedy Rowswell addressed the members of the Club at the Carling Hotel.  Not only did he keep his audience in a state of laughter for thirty minutes, but his presentations of original verse marked him as one of the best after-dinner speakers in the country.  The Jacksonville Kiwanians were willing to vote it one of the best programs ever held in this city.—
Jacksonville (Fla.) Times-Union.