Identifier
MA 1
Dates
1916-1988
Extent
0.84 linear feet (2 document cases) audiocassettes, photographs
Abstract
George C. Biggar served as a program director, shaping radio content in Chicago, Illinois, and Cincinnati, Ohio. His papers highlight his notable contributions to agricultural and entertainment programming, featuring radio scripts, interviews, photographs, and materials from his time at stations like WLS in Chicago and WLW in Cincinnati. Additionally, the collection provides insights into Biggar's personal background and his role in historical events, notably his observations during a trip to Great Britain in 1943-1944, focusing on wartime agriculture.
Historical Note
George Biggar, born January 11, 1899, near Aurora, South Dakota, graduated from South Dakota State University with a BS in Agriculture in 1921 and an MS in Dairy Husbandry in 1922. Active in campus publications, he served as editor of the Industrial Collegian newspaper and contributed to the Jackrabbit yearbook. Transitioning to journalism, Biggar began his radio career in 1924 at WLS in Chicago, producing agricultural and farm programs. He was instrumental in launching the National Barn Dance, a platform for emerging country performers, and notably dispatched Herb Morrison to cover the Hindenburg disaster.
In 1938, Biggar joined WLW in Cincinnati, Ohio, overseeing rural and entertainment programming. During World War II, he toured Great Britain at the invitation of the British Information Service, documenting wartime agricultural practices. After retiring from WLW in 1964, he purchased WLBK in DeKalb, Illinois, where he concluded his career. Biggar later lived in Laguna Beach, California, and Fargo, North Dakota, before passing away on March 19, 1989.
Content Notes
This collection contains a variety of materials documenting historical, personal, and professional narratives. It includes biographical sketches, photographs, clippings, collected scripts, writings spanning several decades, and an M.S. thesis. A significant portion is dedicated to a World War II trip, featuring correspondence, diaries, interviews, maps, speeches, research notes, and collected materials. Other highlights include tributes, miscellaneous items, and materials related to agriculture and economic studies. The collection offers a comprehensive view of various topics and periods, emphasizing key historical events and personal experiences.
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Language
English
Publisher
South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.
Rights
In Copyright: This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). Materials in this collection may be subject to Title 17, Section 108 of the United States Copy-right Act. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with copyright, privacy, trademark, and other applicable rights for their intended use. Obtaining all necessary permissions is the user's responsibility. Written authorization from the copyright and/or other rights holders is re-quired for publication, distribution, or any use of protected materials beyond what is permitted under fair use.
Recommended Citation
SDSU Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, "George C. Biggar Papers" (2025). Manuscript Archive. 5.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/finding_aids-manuscript/5
