The Year of Topsy 2025
Born 150 years ago in 1875 in Southeast Asia
On 4 January 1903, Topsy, the female Asian elephant, was electrocuted to death on Coney Island, New York.
As I write her biography, I discover all too often from talking to people about her that if they know anything about Topsy, it is often about how she died. They may have heard about or even watched the film of her electrocution on YouTube.
But I believe Topsy deserves to be known for more than just how she was killed. I want us to remember her life with love, compassion, and respect.
Today, I declare 2025 as The Year of Topsy, as she was born 150 years ago in 1875 in Southeast Asia.
I will celebrate The Year of Topsy by
Continuing with my research to write her biography
Recruiting a literary agent to persuade a mainstream publisher to publish my book
Reaching a different, possibly younger, audience by co-producing with designer Richard de Pesando a graphic novel about Topsy
Publishing about Topsy, including updates on the biography and graphic novel, on Substack, Patreon, and my social media
Please join me in celebrating The Year of Topsy by
Talking about Topsy with your family, friends, and colleagues
Encouraging them to join us on Substack, Patreon, and my social media
Buying my Topsy booklets to give to people who care deeply about animals
Speaking out about elephants and other animals by sharing your love, compassion, and respect for them
Topsy has already suffered enough.
Let’s celebrate her life in The Year of Topsy 2025!
This book will be a game changer for elephants. And hopefully humans. Kim has been chipping away at the truthful story for years. It is difficult to get factual, biographical information about individual animals. Especially those who are deceased. As the author of one of the first biographies of an animal (Nim Chimpsky) I know how hard this research can be. We have to tease out the truth--and fact check. Stallwood is writing an important book!