Identity elements
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Item
Title
The Florida Keys and the Coral Reef: Authentic History of the Romantic Southernmost United States from Earliest Indians to the Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Date(s)
- 1965 (Publication)
Extent
1 hb
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.