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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Sub-Groups Permission to Publish, Quote or Exhibit Form Last updated 13 August 2007.
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George Biggar, son of James Harvey and Caroline Goodfellow Bigger was born on a farm near Aurora, South Dakota on January 11, 1899. He attended South Dakota State University (then SDAC), where he received a BS in agriculture in 1921 and a MS in Dairy Husbandry in 1922. While at South Dakota State University [SDSU], he was editor of the Industrial Collegian newspaper and worked on the Jackrabbit yearbook. After graduating, he immediately pursued a career in journalism, working as a reporter for the Moline (Illinois) Dispatch and later the Illinois State Farm Bureau. In 1924, he began his radio career at station WLS in Chicago, just 3 weeks after Sears-Roebuck started broadcasting. He worked at many radio stations around the country while he was employed by Sears-Roebuck, working mainly with agricultural and farm programs. In 1929, after Sears stopped its broadcasting activities, Biggar returned to WLS. He continued to work on farm, homemaker and entertainer programs, included the National Barn Dance, a show where many country and old performers got their start. During this time, he was also responsible for sending Herb Morrison to cover the Hindenburg landing, where he was the only reporter to witness the tragedy. In 1938, Biggar moved to WLW in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was in charge of rural programs, as well as some entertainment programs. At WLW, Biggar was invited to go to Great Britain as a guest of the British Information Service. While there, Biggar observed agricultural practices and noted their changes during the war years. This trip is reflected in many of his papers. Biggar’s career in radio continued until his retirement in 1964. Following his departure from WLW, he continued to move around the Midwest working in radio. He eventually bought station WLBK in DeKalb, Illinois, which is where he finished out his career. Following his retirement, he moved to Laguna Beach, California, and then onto Fargo, North Dakota. He passed away March 19, 1989.The George C. Biggar papers are arranged into two sub-groups: 1. General, and 2. World War II Trip. The bulk of the material is composed of radio scripts, interviews, photographs and other material collected throughout his career. Material from a trip to Great Britain in 1943-1944 makes up a large portion of the collection and includes material related to agriculture during wartime. Use of Materials: This collection is open to research without restriction. This collection is indexed under the following headings in the subject guide. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the subject guide using these headings.
Preferred citation: George C. Biggar Papers, South Dakota State University Archives, South Dakota State University, Brookings, S. D. Provenance: George C. Biggar donated this collection to South Dakota State University in 1988. After some of the material was displayed for a short while, in the Agriculture Communications Department, Emery Tschetter, who was instrumental in receiving the donation, placed them in the library. Processing information: This collection was processed by Elizabeth B. Scott, 7 April 1998 with revisions on June 6, 2001 [cjg] / July 29, 2002 [cjg]. Copyright: Copyright 2006 by South Dakota State University and SDSU Archives. Please credit the SDSU Archives if you copy or reproduce material from this page.
Description: The general sub-group is composed of Biggar’s material over his lifespan. Folders include radio scripts, interviews, clippings, photographs and other material collected during his career. The other material in this collection consists mainly of material related to Biggar’s career in radio. Biggar kept many radio scripts and articles he wrote, as well as clippings and miscellaneous material related to his work. It offers some insight into the formative years of radio, especially the material related to the National Barn Dance and WLS in Chicago. This audiocassettes, photographs and slides were removed for preservation purposes. Arrangement: Folders are arranged alphabetical order. Box 1. General
Description: The World War II trip sub-group is the most significant series in the collection. It is composed of Biggar’s material from his 1943 trip to Great Britain. Folders contain is Biggar’s diary from the trip, miscellaneous interviews, articles written by Biggar and others, clippings, information put out by the British Government, and some photographs. Arrangement: Folders are arranged in alphabetical order. Box 2. World War II Trip
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Copyright 2006 by South
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