Records, 1937-1946 (inclusive).

Records, 1937-1946 (inclusive).

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Corporate author / creator:University of Chicago. Office of the Vice President.
Description:29.75 linear ft. (59 boxes)
Language:English
Subject:
Benton, William, -- 1900-1973.
Hutchins, Robert Maynard, -- 1899-1977.
Benton, William, -- 1900-1973.
Hutchins, Robert Maynard, -- 1899-1977.
University of Chicago. -- Office of the Vice President.
University of Chicago round table.
Format: E-Resource Print Archives/Manuscripts
URL for this record:http://pi.lib.uchicago.edu/1001/cat/bib/2757342
Hidden Bibliographic Details
Varying Form of Title:University of Chicago Office of the Vice-President records
Chicago, University of, Office of the Vice-President, records
Notes:The collection is open for research.
Originally an advertising executive and broadcasting entrepreneur, William Benton retired from the advertising world in 1935 and accepted an offer from the University of Chicago's president, Robert M. Hutchins, to undertake a short-term study of the University's public relations. After completing the study, Benton assumed the post of part-time vice-president in 1937, overseeing the University's public affairs and broadcasting initiatives until 1945. As part of Benton's plan to improve the University of Chicago's public image in the wake of accusations that it was a haven for left-wing radicalism, as well as to increase its visibility and prestige, both Benton and Hutchins gave a great number of public talks, especially to the business community. Moreover, Benton's office arranged for Hutchins and prominent faculty members to write articles and be interviewed as experts for various media. One of Benton's most successful projects was the University of Chicago's Round Table radio program, which was launched as a local broadcast in 1931 and was picked up by the National Broadcasting Company in 1933. The standard Round Table format involved three speakers, usually two University faculty members and one guest speaker, and dealt with contemporary -- often controversial -- social, political, and economic issues. Though it quickly emerged as one of the most popular radio programs of the time, it was also criticized for having a leftist bias. During the Second World War, most of the Round Table's programming was related to developments in the war and the American military effort. Benton also successfully launched the radio program The Human Adventure, which aired 1939-1945. The program showcased faculty research on a wide range of topics, including scientific, historical and cultural phenomena. Aside from radio, Benton was keen to develop the University of Chicago's capacity for producing educational films, but his efforts in this area were not as fruitful as his radio endeavors. In early 1942, Benton was appointed by the U.S. War Department as Coordinator of the Orientation Courses of the Bureau of Public Relations for the Sixth Corps Area (comprising Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan). This position involved organizing lectures on different regions of the world, political developments, and international relations for officer orientation courses. In 1945, Benton officially left the University, accepting the position of Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, which involved consolidating wartime information agencies and creating new information bodies for the post-war era.
Summary:Consists of records and correspondence of the University of Chicago's Office of the Vice-President, comprising the administration of William Benton. Included are correspondence, reports, publications, and other administrative records related to University events and issues within his mandate, as well as material related to Benton's broadcasting, public relations, and media relations work on behalf of the University. The collection contains a significant number of items related to the production of the University of Chicago's well-known Round Table radio program, broadcast nationwide from 1933 to1955.
Cite as:When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: University of Chicago. Office of the Vice-President. Records, [Box #, Folder #], Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
Cumulative Index / Finding Aids Note:Finding aid available in the Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library, 1100 E. 57th St., Chicago, IL 60637.

Special Collections, Archives

Loading map link
Holdings details from Special Collections, Archives
Call Number: ARCH
: box 2 Available Loan period: Special Collections Reading Room use only  Request from SCRC Need help? - Ask SCRC or Request Scans

Special Collections, Archives

Loading map link
Holdings details from Special Collections, Archives
Call Number: ARCH
: box 4 Available Loan period: Special Collections Reading Room use only  Request from SCRC Need help? - Ask SCRC or Request Scans

Special Collections, Archives

Loading map link
Holdings details from Special Collections, Archives
Call Number: ARCH
: box 5 Available Loan period: Special Collections Reading Room use only  Request from SCRC Need help? - Ask SCRC or Request Scans

Special Collections, Archives

Loading map link
Holdings details from Special Collections, Archives
Call Number: ARCH
: box 11 Available Loan period: Special Collections Reading Room use only  Request from SCRC Need help? - Ask SCRC or Request Scans

Special Collections, Archives

Loading map link
Holdings details from Special Collections, Archives
Call Number: ARCH
: box 13 Available Loan period: Special Collections Reading Room use only  Request from SCRC Need help? - Ask SCRC or Request Scans

Special Collections, Archives

Loading map link
Holdings details from Special Collections, Archives
Call Number: ARCH
: box 14 Available Loan period: Special Collections Reading Room use only  Request from SCRC Need help? - Ask SCRC or Request Scans

Special Collections, Archives

Loading map link
Holdings details from Special Collections, Archives
Call Number: ARCH
: box 15 Available Loan period: Special Collections Reading Room use only  Request from SCRC Need help? - Ask SCRC or Request Scans

Special Collections, Archives

Loading map link
Holdings details from Special Collections, Archives
Call Number: ARCH
: box 18 Available Loan period: Special Collections Reading Room use only  Request from SCRC Need help? - Ask SCRC or Request Scans

Special Collections, Archives

Loading map link
Holdings details from Special Collections, Archives
Call Number: ARCH
: box 19 Available Loan period: Special Collections Reading Room use only  Request from SCRC Need help? - Ask SCRC or Request Scans

Special Collections, Archives

Loading map link
Holdings details from Special Collections, Archives
Call Number: ARCH
: box 20 Available Loan period: Special Collections Reading Room use only  Request from SCRC Need help? - Ask SCRC or Request Scans

Special Collections, Archives

Loading map link
Holdings details from Special Collections, Archives
Call Number: ARCH
: box 22 Available Loan period: Special Collections Reading Room use only  Request from SCRC Need help? - Ask SCRC or Request Scans

Special Collections, Archives

Loading map link
Holdings details from Special Collections, Archives
Call Number: ARCH
: box 28 Available Loan period: Special Collections Reading Room use only  Request from SCRC Need help? - Ask SCRC or Request Scans

Special Collections, Archives

Loading map link
Holdings details from Special Collections, Archives
Call Number: ARCH
: box 30 Available Loan period: Special Collections Reading Room use only  Request from SCRC Need help? - Ask SCRC or Request Scans

Special Collections, Archives

Loading map link
Holdings details from Special Collections, Archives
Call Number: ARCH
: box 31 Available Loan period: Special Collections Reading Room use only  Request from SCRC Need help? - Ask SCRC or Request Scans

Special Collections, Archives

Loading map link
Holdings details from Special Collections, Archives
Call Number: ARCH
: box 33 Available Loan period: Special Collections Reading Room use only  Request from SCRC Need help? - Ask SCRC or Request Scans

Special Collections, Archives

Loading map link
Holdings details from Special Collections, Archives
Call Number: ARCH
: box 35 Available Loan period: Special Collections Reading Room use only  Request from SCRC Need help? - Ask SCRC or Request Scans

Special Collections, Archives

Loading map link
Holdings details from Special Collections, Archives
Call Number: ARCH
: box 36 Available Loan period: Special Collections Reading Room use only  Request from SCRC Need help? - Ask SCRC or Request Scans

Special Collections, Archives

Loading map link
Holdings details from Special Collections, Archives
Call Number: ARCH
: box 37 Available Loan period: Special Collections Reading Room use only  Request from SCRC Need help? - Ask SCRC or Request Scans

Special Collections, Archives

Loading map link
Holdings details from Special Collections, Archives
Call Number: ARCH
: box 38 Available Loan period: Special Collections Reading Room use only  Request from SCRC Need help? - Ask SCRC or Request Scans

Special Collections, Archives

Loading map link
Holdings details from Special Collections, Archives
Call Number: ARCH
: box 39 Available Loan period: Special Collections Reading Room use only  Request from SCRC Need help? - Ask SCRC or Request Scans

Special Collections, Archives

Loading map link
Holdings details from Special Collections, Archives
Call Number: ARCH
: box 40 Available Loan period: Special Collections Reading Room use only  Request from SCRC Need help? - Ask SCRC or Request Scans

Special Collections, Archives

Loading map link
Holdings details from Special Collections, Archives
Call Number: ARCH
: box 41 Available Loan period: Special Collections Reading Room use only  Request from SCRC Need help? - Ask SCRC or Request Scans

Special Collections, Archives

Loading map link
Holdings details from Special Collections, Archives
Call Number: ARCH
: box 42 Available Loan period: Special Collections Reading Room use only  Request from SCRC Need help? - Ask SCRC or Request Scans

Special Collections, Archives

Loading map link
Holdings details from Special Collections, Archives
Call Number: ARCH
: box 43 Available Loan period: Special Collections Reading Room use only  Request from SCRC Need help? - Ask SCRC or Request Scans

Special Collections, Archives

Loading map link
Holdings details from Special Collections, Archives
Call Number: ARCH
: box 51 Available Loan period: Special Collections Reading Room use only  Request from SCRC Need help? - Ask SCRC or Request Scans

Special Collections, Archives

Loading map link
Holdings details from Special Collections, Archives
Call Number: ARCH
: box 52 Available Loan period: Special Collections Reading Room use only  Request from SCRC Need help? - Ask SCRC or Request Scans

Special Collections, Archives

Loading map link
Holdings details from Special Collections, Archives
Call Number: ARCH
: box 57 Available Loan period: Special Collections Reading Room use only  Request from SCRC Need help? - Ask SCRC or Request Scans

Special Collections, Archives

Loading map link
Holdings details from Special Collections, Archives
Call Number: ARCH
: box 58 Available Loan period: Special Collections Reading Room use only  Request from SCRC Need help? - Ask SCRC or Request Scans

Similar Items