🏨 A Clue with Literary Roots

Unlike some trivia questions that hinge on obscure facts, this clue is steeped in American literary and cultural history. It references three towering figures of the early 20th century: Harold Ross, Edna Ferber, and Alexander Woollcott.

All three were members of the legendary “Algonquin Round Table” — an informal gathering of writers, critics, actors, and wits who met daily at a Midtown Manhattan hotel. Their sharp humor, cultural commentary, and friendships helped shape the literary and journalistic landscape of their time.

And the hotel that served as their meeting ground? One of New York’s most iconic addresses: The Algonquin Hotel.

🖋️ The Famous Algonquin Round Table

Beginning in 1919, a group of journalists, playwrights, critics, and humorists began meeting for lunch every day at a particular round table in the hotel’s dining room. Their conversations were witty, biting, and often influential.

This circle became known as the Algonquin Round Table, and its members included some of the sharpest minds of the Jazz Age. They helped shape American humor, theater, and journalism, and many went on to become household names.

• Harold Ross — Founder of The New Yorker magazine, which would redefine American literary journalism.
• Edna Ferber — Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and playwright, known for works like Show Boat and Giant.
• Alexander Woollcott — Critic, commentator, and one of the most famous personalities of the era.

The hotel’s website today honors these figures with mini-biographies, preserving the spirit of the Round Table for visitors and history lovers alike.

📚 A Landmark Steeped in Culture

Opened in 1902, the Algonquin Hotel is located in Midtown Manhattan. It became world-famous during the 1920s thanks to its role as the gathering place for the Round Table. It wasn’t just a hotel — it was a hub of ideas, humor, and artistic energy during one of New York’s most dynamic cultural periods.

The hotel has since been designated a New York City Historic Landmark, and it continues to celebrate its literary legacy with portraits, plaques, and archival material that transport guests back to its golden era.

Visitors today can walk through its lobby and imagine Dorothy Parker trading barbs with Harold Ross or Edna Ferber listening to the day’s sharpest quips.

🕰️ Why This Clue Matters

This Final Jeopardy clue isn’t just about identifying a hotel — it’s about recognizing a symbol of American literary culture. The Algonquin represents a time when writers and journalists shaped national conversations over lunch and laughter.

For lovers of language, literature, and wit, the Algonquin isn’t just a place on a map — it’s a shrine to an era when words mattered and humor had power.