Administrative Information | Search Terms | Background Note | Scope and Contents Note | Arrangement | PDF of Finding Aid
 

COLLECTION SUMMARY

Title:     George C. Biggar Papers

Dates:     1916-1988, [n.d.] (bulk 1943-1944, [n.d.])

Creator:     George C. Biggar

Physical Description:     0.84 linear feet—2 containers, 3 audio cassettes, 18 photographs, 4 slides

Collection number:     MA 1

Language:     Collection material in English.

Repository:     South Dakota State University Archives, Hilton M. Briggs Library, South Dakota State University, Brookings, S.D.

Abstract:     Papers relating to Biggar’s career in radio.  Included are 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.

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

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.

Access Restrictions:     This collection is open to research without restriction. Items in this collection do not circulate and may be used in-house only.

Copyright Status: Copyright 2008 by South Dakota State University and SDSU Archives. Please credit the SDSU Archives if you copy or reproduce material from this finding aid.

It is the responsibility of anyone reproducing material to determine the copyright holders and obtain permission from them if necessary. Archives staff will provide available copyright information on request. Please note that most collections, especially those received before 1997, may not have complete information on file. (Revised 15 SEP 2003)

Preferred Citation:     [Identification of item]. George C. Biggar Papers, MA 1, South Dakota State University Archives, South Dakota State University, Brookings, S. D.

Processing Information:     This collection was arranged by Elizabeth B. Scott, 7 April 1998 with revisions by Crystal J. Gamradt on June 6, 2001 and July 29, 2002.

SELECTED SEARCH TERMS

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the subject guide. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically therein.

Names:

• Biggar, George C., 1899-1989.

• Chappel, Genevieve.

• Morrison, Herb.

Subjects:

• Agriculture—Great Britain.

• National Barn Dance (Radio program)

• Radio broadcasting—History.

• Radio in agriculture.

• WLS (Radio station : Chicago, Ill.)

• WLW (Radio station : Cincinnati, Ohio)

• World War, 1939-1945—Great Britain.

BACKGROUND NOTE

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.

SCOPE and CONTENTS NOTE

The George C. Biggar papers relate to Biggar’s career in radio. 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.

The General series 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. The audiocassettes, photographs and slides were removed for preservation purposes.

The World War II Trip series is the most significant series in the collection. It is composed of Biggar’s material from his 1943 trip to Great Britain. Folders contain 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 of the RECORDS

The collection is arranged into two series: General and World War II Trip.

Folders within each series are arranged in alphabetical order.

SERIES 1:      General

Box 1.

SERIES 2:      World War II Trip

Box 2.

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