The Man Who Forgot is an alcoholic who got himself to a point where he is unable to recall his own name or anything at all about his past. After a sobering experience that changes his life, he decides to forever give up drinking and turns temperance evangelist. Getting listed as John Smith, he dedicates his life to fight against alcohol and becomes dazzling agitator for nationwide prohibition. Smith campaigns across Washington preaching soberness, believed to be the truly great man… James Hay, Jr. (1881-1936) was American novelist and journalist, born in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Most of his books are crime mysteries and detective stories, some of which are set in Asheville, place where he spent part of his life, and worked as an editor in the Asheville Citizen magazine. Some of his other detective novels have their settings in Washington, where Hay spent his final years. Hay was the founder of the National Press Club, and had friendly relations with presidents Wilson and Taft.