Identity elements
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Collection
Title
Oliver Griswold papers
Date(s)
- 1955-1962 (Creation)
Extent
4 Boxes
Name of creator
Biographical history
Oliver Griswold, writer, editor and publicist, held professional and administrative positions with the United States government during the 1930's and 40's, and later served as coordinator of radio and television programs the University of Miami. Following his graduation from Cornell and experience as a
newspaper reporter, Griswold began a career in public relations. Subsequently, Griswold served on President Herbert Hoover's Committee for Employment, and later as Assistant Director of Public Relations for the Federal Emergency Relief Administration and the Works Progress Administration. During the 1930's the United States government began producing documentary films, and Griswold was appointed Director of Programming and Distribution of Motion Pictures for the United States Department of Agriculture. He also acted as Associate Director of Public Relations for the Office of War Information during World War II.
In 1945 Griswold moved to the Florida Keys, where he wrote a number of articles and books on the Everglades, the Keys, coral reefs and related topics. He developed an interest in ornithology, ecology and conservation, organized Audobon society activities in the Keys, and later served as President of the Tropical Audobon Society in Miami.
Griswold joined the University of Miami as coordinator of the programs for the Radio, Television, and Film Department in 1949. He remained at the University for thirteen years and wrote numerous scripts for the university television station, as well as scripts for twenty educational motion pictures. Griswold also moderated the University of Miami Radio Round Table.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
The Oliver Griswold Papers consist of four boxes of material totalling two cubic feet of files. The Papers contain several of his manuscripts and copies of articles, in addition to correspondence concerning these publications. Scripts of University of Miami television programs and files relating to the Radio and Television Department document his university activities during the 1950's.
Topics for television programs vary widely. One "historical" file contains background research and the script of a program on Dr. Henry Perrine and Charles A. Howe, two prominent figures in South Florida history. Correspondence with Howe's son, R.H. Howe, documents the experience of Howe and the Perrine family on the land known as the Perrine Grant. Several other program scripts based on bi-annual expeditions to Latin American countries documents the University of Miami's interest in this region.
System of arrangement
Alphabetical.
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
This collection is open for research.
Physical access
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
Oliver Griswold Papers Finding Aid © 1991 University of Miami. Requests to reproduce or publish materials from this collection should be directed to asc.library@miami.edu.
Languages of the material
- English