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 on January 11, 1899, near Aurora, South Dakota, attended South Dakota State University, earning a BS in agriculture in 1921 and an MS in Dairy Husbandry in 1922. Noteworthy for his involvement in campus publications, he served as editor of the Industrial Collegian newspaper and contributed to the Jackrabbit yearbook. Transitioning to journalism after graduation, Biggar began his radio career in 1924 at station WLS in Chicago, focusing on agricultural and farm programs. His notable contributions included producing the National Barn Dance, a launching pad for many country performers, and dispatching Herb Morrison to cover the Hindenburg landing. In 1938, he joined WLW in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he managed rural and entertainment programs. Invited by the British Information Service, Biggar visited Great Britain during World War II, documenting agricultural practices during the conflict. After retiring from WLW in 1964, he acquired station WLBK in DeKalb, Illinois, where he concluded his career. Later relocating to Laguna Beach, California, and Fargo, North Dakota, Biggar passed away on March 19, 1989.

Content Notes

This collection encompasses materials related to George Biggar's career in radio, highlighting his contributions to agricultural and farm programs, as well as entertainment broadcasts. The collection is composed of a wide range of materials including audiocassettes, biographical sketches, clippings, scripts, a Master of Science thesis, miscellaneous items, photographs, publications, tours documentation, tributes, writings, and materials related to a World War II trip. These items offer insights into various aspects spanning from personal history to historical events, with a particular focus on the World War II trip and its related materials.

SDSU Archives and Special Collections

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Language

English

Publisher

South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.

Rights

Copyright restrictions apply in different ways to different materials. Many of the documents and other historical materials in the Archives are in the public domain and may be reproduced and used in any way. There are other materials in the Archive carrying a copyright interest and must be used according to the provisions of Title 17 of the U.S. Code. The Archive issues a warning concerning copyright restrictions to every researcher who requests copies of documents. Although the copyright law is under constant redefinition in the courts, it is ultimately the responsibility of the researcher to properly use copyrighted material.

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