Edward R. Murrow Papers, 1928-1932

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Murrow, Edward R.
Title
Edward R. Murrow Papers
Dates
1928-1932 (inclusive)
Quantity
.25 feet of linear shelf space, (1 box)
Collection Number
Cage 673 (collection)
Summary
The Edward R. Murrow collection consists chiefly of holograph letters and envelopes addressed to Hermine Duthie from Edward R. Murrow.
Repository
Washington State University Libraries' Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections (MASC)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Terrell Library Suite 12
Pullman, WA
99164-5610
Telephone: 509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Access Restrictions

This collection is open and available for research use.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Edward [Egbert] Roscoe Murrow was born on April 25, 1908, near Greensboro, North Carolina. He was the youngest of three boys born to Roscoe and Ethel Murrow. The family moved to Blanchard, Washington when Murrow was five. Subsequently, Murrow attended Washington State College in Pullman, Washington, graduating in 1930. He was president of the National Student Federation from 1929 to 1932 and assistant director of the Institute of International Education from 1932 to 1935. In 1934 he married Janet Brewster. Their son, Charles Casey, was born November 6, 1945, in West London.

Murrow was hired by CBS in 1935 and worked for them until 1961. During those years he worked as war correspondent in London, 1939 to 1945, vice president, director of public affairs, 1945 to 1947, and news analyst and host for the television programs Person to Person, See It Now, and Small World during the 1950s. He was on the CBS board of directors from 1949 to 1955. In 1961, Edward R. Murrow was appointed director of the United States Information Agency (USIA), serving until 1964. He died on April 27, 1965.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Edward R. Murrow collection consists chiefly of holograph letters and envelopes addressed to Hermine Duthie from Edward R. Murrow. Also included are: telegrams to Duthie; an annotated copy of the theatrical prompt book for a play, The Enemy; a newspaper clipping concerning Edward R. Murrow's reelection as president of the National Student Federation of the United States of America; and a photograph of Hermine Duthie.

Murrow's letters to Duthie are personal, showing his romantic interest in her during the period 1930-1932. All of the letters are addressed to her at Syracuse University, New York, where Duthie was associated with the department of speech. Murrow's mailing address appears as the National Student Federation of the United States of America in New York, New York, where he was president. The letters reveal details of their plans to meet, his romantic interest, and two occurrences of Murrow ending their relationship. Several letters are written on hotel stationery during Murrow's travels as a speaker.

Throughout the correspondence Murrow and Duthie are frequently referred to by the names Carl and Pauli. These names are drawn from the theatrical prompt book owned by Duthie. The 1928 play, The Enemy, by Channing Pollock, features two characters named Carl Behrend and Pauli Arndt.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Copyright restrictions apply.

Preferred Citation

Edward R. Murrow Papers, 1928-1932

Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections Washington State University Libraries Pullman, WA

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in a single series by date, with miscellaneous materials placed at the end of the series.

Acquisition Information

This collection was donated to Washington State University Libraries in 1999 by Aletha Carlton.

Bibliography

The guide to the Edward R. Murrow Photograph Collection, PC 30.

Related Materials

Edward R. Murrow Photograph Collection (PC 30). The majority of Edward R. Murrow's papers are held by the Edward R. Murrow Center of Public Diplomacy at Tufts University.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 1 Letter from Edward R. Murrow to Hermine Duthie 1930 September 15
1 2 Letter from Edward R. Murrow to Hermine Duthie 1930 September 18
1 3 Letter from Edward R. Murrow to Hermine Duthie 1930 September 22
1 4 Two letters from Edward R. Murrow to Hermine Duthie 1930 September 30
1 5 Letter from Edward R. Murrow to Hermine Duthie 1931 January 06
1 6 Letter from Edward R. Murrow to Hermine Duthie 1931 January 08
1 7 Letter from Edward R. Murrow to Hermine Duthie 1931 January 17
1 8 Letter from Edward R. Murrow to Hermine Duthie 1931 February 06
1 9 Letter from Edward R. Murrow to Hermine Duthie 1931 February 14
1 10 Letter from Edward R. Murrow to Hermine Duthie 1931 February 14
1 11 Valentine telegram from "Carl" (Edward R. Murrow) to "Pauli" (Hermine Duthie) 1931 February 14
1 12 Letter from Edward R. Murrow to Hermine Duthie 1931 March 04
1 13 Letter from Edward R. Murrow to "Pauli" (Hermine Duthie) 1931 March 19
1 14 Letter from "Carl" (Edward R. Murrow) to Hermine Duthie 1931 March 23
1 15 Telegram from Edward R. Murrow to Hermine Duthie 1931 April 11
1 16 Letter from "Karl" (Edward R. Murrow) to Hermine Duthie 1931 April 07
1 17 Letter from Edward R. Murrow to Hermine Duthie 1931 April 11
1 18 Letter from "Carl" (Edward R. Murrow) to Hermine Duthie 1931 September 14
1 19 Letter from Edward R. Murrow to "Pauli" (Hermine Duthie) 1931 October 09
1 20 Letter from "Carl" (Edward R. Murrow) to "Pauli" (Hermine Duthie) before 1931 November 26
1 21 Letter from "Carl" (Edward R. Murrow) to "Pauli" (Hermine Duthie) before 1931 November 26
1 22 Letter from Edward R. Murrow to "Pauli" (Hermine Duthie) before 1931 November 26
1 23 Letter from Edward R. Murrow to "Pauli" (Hermine Duthie) 1931 November 27
1 24 Letter from Edward R. Murrow to "Pauli" (Hermine Duthie) 1931 December 16
1 25 Letter from "Carl" (Edward R. Murrow) to "Pauli" (Hermine Duthie) before 1932 January 06
1 26 Letter from "Carl" (Edward R. Murrow) to Hermine Duthie 1932 January 13
1 27 Letter from "Carl" (Edward R. Murrow) to "Pauli" (Hermine Duthie) 1932 March 06
1 28 Letter from Edward R. Murrow to "Pauli" (Hermine Duthie) 1932 March 23
1 29 Letter from Edward R. Murrow to "Pauli" (Hermine Duthie) 1932 April 15
1 30 Letter from "Karl" (Edward R. Murrow) to "Pauli" (Hermine Duthie) 1932 May 13
1 31-32 Script of the play, The Enemy, by Channing Pollock; Newspaper clipping announcing Edward R. Murrow's reelection as president of the National Student Federation of the United States of America 1928, circa 1930-1931
1 33 Photograph of Hermine Duthie undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Journalists -- United States
  • Radio journalists -- United States
  • Television journalists -- United States

Personal Names

  • Murrow, Edward R. -- Correspondence (creator)