Earnest Hemingway: Man of Character

by Bill Alley, Broadcast Host, Producer & Beard Advocate

Posing in a fisherman's sweater with a trim, gray beard and a steely gaze, Earnest Hemingway exudes rugged masculinity. A winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1954, Hemingway was noted for his powerful, pared-down prose.

Earnest Miller Hemingway was the second of four siblings, and at that time the only male, the son of Clarence and Grace Hemingway, born in Oak Park, Illinois in 1899. His whiskered father would give away some of Ernest's bearded pedigree, but there was a destiny to develop along the way.

High School graduation would give Hemingway his first forays as an adult:  a reporter for the Kansas City Star daily newspaper began the writing career, and shortly thereafter, his enlistment to serve in Italy during World War I revealed his bravado. His time on the front was not the most glorious, as he sustained a serious wound during Italian Ambulance Corps service.  It was, however, where literary prowess took pen to paper to create A Farewell To Arms, his account of the war and the third of seven novels.  Many are sure to remember the titles The Old Man And The Sea, For Whom The Bell Tolls, and Green Hills Of Africa— part of the treasures of reading in many high schools in North America and elsewhere.

“Elsewhere” encompasses a hefty global footprint.  Home from the war and wounded, Ernest's angst of being sedentary at home motivated his news acumen with stints in Toronto and Chicago.  As the jobs went, Hemingway turned to sharpen his literary skill in Paris, the place where he was first wed and noticed by the literary elite of the day.

Returning to the States, he and his second wife eventually settled down to the iconic home Hemingway kept in Key West for winter and Wyoming in summer.  The Key West dwelling was eclectic, the décor laced a resort charm with a man's love of comfort— something which linked Hemingway with a furnishing style that still has an appeal. It is also the first account of Ernest bearded, standing with his family against a backdrop of fresh Marlins in Bimini.

The Spanish Civil War, Cuba and World War II would occupy much time between 1937 and 1945 as he straddled between writing and armed conflict.  Health and injury managed attempts at curtailing his affairs during and after war, including two successive plane crashes while on African safari. Not all was dire, however, as in 1954 Ernest Hemingway had captured the Nobel Prize for Literature, a coveted accomplishment. Though a genetic condition causing himself, his father, sister Ursula and brother Leicester to take their lives, Ernest remains revered and honored for pushing past boundaries with rugged, swarthy manliness and keen reserve.

If you are ever in Boston, a great exhibit of Hemingway's life and exploits can be viewed at the John F. Kennedy Museum and Presidential Library. understand who they are by ancestry and the DNA-inspired whiskers that grace us.

The Hollywoodian—and Other Beard Types

The Art and Science of Barbering, Sixth Edition, by L. Sherman Trusty, M.A.,  published in 1964, identifies no fewer than 24 distinct beard styles by name: the Van Dyke, Mutton Chops, Friendly Mutton Chops, Old Dutch, Balbo, Norris Skipper, Spade of Shenandoah, French Fork, Franz-Josef, A la Souvarov, Naboleon III Imperial, Chin Curtain, Handlebar and Chin Puff, Lincolnic, Ducktail, Goatee, Modified oatee, Petit Goatee, Jumbo Junor, Medium Full Beard, Short Boxed Beard, Hulihe (After Hawaiian King), Anchor, and the Hollywoodian.

Growing Whiskers for Good Causes
by Bill Alley, Broadcast Host, Producer & Beard Advocate

The Qantas Wallabies unveil a Boeing 737-800 aircraft sporting a giant moustache which will fly around the country for the month of November raising awareness of prostate cancer and men's mental health.

No doubt many of our readers are familiar with the term Movember, which is the month of November’s tribute to the growth of facial hair (particularly moustaches) and is often linked to charity (Prostate Cancer research, predominantly). However, not many can recall its origin.

In 1999 the idea became reality as young men from Adelaide, South Australia organized to grow moustaches for charity.  Theirs was a concept to 'grow whiskers for whiskers' which would donate funds to the RSPCA, the foremost animal care and rights organization.  Australia's ABC News 7 caught on to the concept, and in a single interview, the nation gave its support.

Prostate Cancer awareness took center stage in Melbourne, Victoria, five years later with a group of 30 men dedicating 30 moustache growing days while garnering donations.  It was at this time an official Movember foundation was established. By 2006 Europe, Africa and North America were immersed in moustaches for charity, and to date there has been a nine-figure donation record attesting to the success.  We are especially fond of Movember's ‘grow’ message as it represents a wonderful alternative to other charities which promote shaving for charity.  For many men it is also the first time they explore facial hair in a positive light.  We at Beardsley and Company are cheering you on, and will have tips to help you develop the joy of great whiskers beyond your achievement.

Hooray for Gray

This month Beardsley and Company recognizes the whiskered men of age, wearing their silver and white beards, moustaches, and goatees as an award for living their lives through the years, portraying the look of men recognized as wise guides passing down knowledge and heritage to more youthful men.

They are the reason popularity and approval of their appearance surges, and it is giving fair recognition to elders after many years of youth being favored and admired. Writers at Schwartzkopf's Hair Colour Trends website lend credit to growing attention of this fashion trend; it does a convincing job at treasuring every gray strand.

New Survey Shows Just How Much Men in New York Love Their Beards

by Jamie Feldman, Huffington Post

Beards, polarizing as they may be, are really popular. Just ask the men of New York City.

A new study by German consumer-goods company Braun shows that out of 1,000 New York men surveyed, 67 percent have beards, with the highest percentage living in the Bronx and Brooklyn. Over half of the men say they feel more attractive with a beard (and we can’t argue with them on that one.)

According to the survey, it takes 67 days to grow what’s considered “the perfect beard,” which means there’s no time like the present to get a head start for fall.

Check out more findings from the survey below.