Robert R. McCormick. Recordings of speeches; recordings of operas and operettas
Scope and Contents
This series was formed around recordings of the speeches of Col. Robert R. McCormick (1880-1955), editor and publisher of the Chicago tribune. (The series contains both the original transcription discs, and later copies on magnetic tape.) These speeches are primarly those given during a weekly musical broadcast, but include a few speeches delivered on other occasions. The topics covered by McCormick in his speeches include American history, politics and government, military affairs (foreign and domestic), foreign policy, current events (including the course of the second World War), and descriptions of his travels to Europe, South America, Africa and Asia. McCormick's views on the freedom of the press and other matters contained in the United States Constitution and Declaration of Independence also occur frequently. This series also includes many recordings of musical performances given during broadcasts of the weekly Chicago Theater of the Air program (and materials related to those performances), as well as a few speeches and other broadcasts of historical interest that are not directly related to Col. McCormick.
When a speech was given during the broadcast of a musical program, and when the labels for the musical program indicate that the speech is present, the finding aid contains separate entries for the musical program and the speech. When the labels do not indicate that the speech is present, it is nevertheless likely that the recording includes the speech, but this cannot be determined until the recordings are played.
Dates
- 1938 - 1957
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions on use of the materials in the department for research; all patrons must comply with federal copyright regulations.
Extent
20 Boxes
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This series was formed around recordings of the speeches of Col. Robert R. McCormick (1880-1955), editor and publisher of the Chicago tribune. (The series contains both the original transcription discs, and later copies on magnetic tape.) These speeches are primarly those given during a weekly musical broadcast, but include a few speeches delivered on other occasions. The topics covered by McCormick in his speeches include American history, politics and government, military affairs (foreign and domestic), foreign policy, current events (including the course of the second World War), and descriptions of his travels to Europe, South America, Africa and Asia. McCormick's views on the freedom of the press and other matters contained in the United States Constitution and Declaration of Independence also occur frequently. This series also includes many recordings of musical performances given during broadcasts of the weekly Chicago Theater of the Air program (and materials related to those performances), as well as a few speeches and other broadcasts of historical interest that are not directly related to Col. McCormick.
Arrangement
The speeches and other recordings are listed in this finding aid in chronological order.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Received from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, Chicago Tribune Company, and Nexstar Media Group on January 10, 2020, accession #SPEC-2020-1.
Processing Information
The recordings were originally made onto transcription disks (generally 16" in diameter). They were transferred to the Tribune Company Archives in two groups.
The first group consists chiefly of recordings of Chicago Theater of the Air broadcasts, found at Cantigny in 1974. These were stored in a separate specially-constructed cabinet, without legs.
The second group consists of McCormick's speeches, found on the 24th floor of Tribune Tower. These were stored in a specially-constructed cabinet on legs.
Both groups were transferred to tape at the WGN studios in 1975. The first group was assigned tape numbers 1 to 83; the second group was assigned tape numbers 200 and higher. (One unnumbered tape was assigned number 84 at the time the tapes were being re-housed at Northwestern University.)
- Title
- Guide to the Robert R. McCormick. Recordings of speeches
- Author
- Gary L. Strawn
- Date
- 2021-04-23
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Repository Details
Part of the Charles Deering McCormick Library of Special Collections Repository
Deering Library, Level 3
1970 Campus Drive
Evanston IL 60208-2300 US
847-491-3635
specialcollections@northwestern.edu